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Dr. Emmett Carson & SVCF

JEAN-MICHEL COUSTEAU

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Watching Your Health?

By Scott Budman

I

t will tell you the time. The weather. Your stock prices. You can book an Uber ride, a hotel room, or a pizza, all by touching the screen.

But, unlike your smartphone, you don’t have to expend the effort to take it out of your pocket.

After all the hype, the Apple Watch is here. My first impression? It’s an awful lot like an iPhone – not that that’s a bad thing – but with Budman a much smaller screen.

Now, to be honest, if you’ve already spent the money for a smartphone (and are spending more money on the monthly data plan), do you really need its mini-me?

Which brings me to my second impression.

Admittedly, I haven’t worn a watch since buying my first cell phone. But the Apple Watch will, eventually, be a lot more than just another way to check your text messages. It may take awhile, but this could be the next wave of devices: Connected, literally, to our bodies, and telling us a lot about what’s going on in our world.

And by “our world,” I mean a lot more than text messages and stocks. Before rolling out the Watch, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased a feature called ResearchKit that will collect health data from Apple devices. If you agree to it, your data would be collected anonymously and studied by doctors.

The possibilities here go way beyond ordering food or making a phone call from your wrist. It could soon mean a new way to fight diseases. Silicon Valley companies like 23andme have been collecting DNA for purposes like this.

Imagine if millions of us could learn about, and fight, a disease like Parkinson’s by wearing a watch. App makers are already working to help; Doctors and hospitals are already lining up to collect data.

We in Silicon Valley are always on the lookout for the next “New” thing. The Apple Watch is the next entry. Look for brisk sales in the beginning, and lots of imitators. But what happens next should be even more interesting.

And, dare I say, healthy.

Scott is the business & tech reporter for NBC Bay Area. He’s on Twitter: @scottbudman

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A SPECIAL CONVERSATION

WITH PAT WADORS, Senior Vice President of Global Talent Organization at LinkedIn

ful and fastest growing companies in Silicon Valley and the world. Pat joined LinkedIn in January 2013 “to lead its world-class talent (HR) team. In addition to hiring, retaining and inspiring top talent, Pat is also responsible for all employee related HR programs at LinkedIn, including compensation and benefits and performance management”. Since her arrival, the company has nearly tripled in size. All this, and more, is why she is one of the most respected voices in business. In this brief conversation, enjoy what is some of her vision and philosophies, as we indeed have …

SVL: How do you see HR evolving – from what it was to where it is and your vision of where you see it heading?

PW: HR is evolving from a function that is often viewed as process oriented to more of an innovative role. Typically, HR folks are not the first to deviate from the norm, but successful companies will have HR teams that are not only subject matter experts but they innovate at the same time. They are the ones in the industry that are making Human Resources hip and progressive. This is what we aspire to at LinkedIn. For instance, I am always looking to move the needle and to

yond their own boarders and think of talent issues that affect the world. They become game changers.

SVL: Regarding talent – What are some of the key elements looked for – How important are data analytics and PW: When it comes to talent I hire for humility and intellectual curiosity. The candidate needs to have a decent amount of the skills required for the role, but as long as they have humility and curiosity, then the rest can almost

The HR Organization of the Future … What Does It Mean?” nization at LinkedIn. LinkedIn is one of the most success-

ny culture. Typically, these are individuals who think be-

what can aspiring employees learn to improve?

“How LinkedIn Is Creating

Pat Wadors is Senior Vice President of Global Talent Orga-

have the ability to inspire leaders and influence compa-

gain a fresh perspective. What better way to do this, and tap into the collective brainpower, than by bringing together the best and the brightest interns from around the Bay Area? We did just that this past summer when we hosted our first ever HR Hackathon event. Teams comprised of technical and non-technical interns competed against each other to come up with the coolest, most creative, out-of-the box solutions to today’s toughest HR problems. Over 150 interns from companies across the Bay Area participated, and the energy level and breadth of ideas generated from each team was inspiring.

The future of HR is not about avoiding policies and processes, it is more about innovation and knowing what should be global vs. local, and creating unique experiences that differentiate your company. These leaders help evolve/create an amazing talent brand for their organizations and influence HR practices in their community. They are willing to experiment and compete for talent in new ways.

I meet with my peers and other HR and Talent Acquisition leaders every single week. What I am discovering, are more leaders are in that third bucket or are leaders who aspire to be in that space. It means taking more intelligent risks. They

Pat Wadors and participants of LinkedIn’s inaugural HR Hackathon.

Photo credit: Tony Chung

always be learned.

to work for. Connect with those employees and see how

I am also a strong believer in treating people beautiful-

they navigate the company. Remember – a company’s

ly. At LinkedIn we are in hyper growth and in order to

best hire is a referral from someone else at the company.

maintain our wonderful culture we need to continue to

If you really want to work somewhere try to find alum-

hire people who believe in this sentiment. We also need

ni from your alma mater that already works there, grab

to constantly reinforce our culture through our behav-

coffee with a current employee, follow the company, etc.

iors and decisions we make every

Leverage your network to help you get your next job.

day. Pulsing our employees twice a year on an employee voice sur-

SVL: HR is the catalyst - What

vey is one way in which we gauge

makes a good employee, man-

our culture and engagement.

ager, leader desirable and great

To help drive talent strategies

for the company and also for the

that truly enable our businesses

employee, himself/herself?

success – we need data. Talent Analytics is the new oil.

PW: I believe that a good em-

At LinkedIn we have built a talent analytics team to help

ployee is always learning, has a strong work ethic and is a

us find, engage, hire and retain the right people. The data

brand ambassador for their organization.

helps us understand things like where the candidates

Managers and leaders need to lead the way. They cre-

are, what skillsets they have, and who our competition is.

ate the vision that others aspire to achieve. They need to

This data also helps me keep an eye on our organization-

be authentic and treat people beautifully. They should

al health. What is our hiring pattern? Where do we have

ensure their teams are working on a good mix of proj-

the most effective leaders? What do they do different

ects that both stretches them in their skills and contrib-

that we can leverage in other teams? What are the key

utes to the success of the company. They encourage the

drivers to engagement? Data helps us solve problems

team to come to the table with solutions, not problems.

and improve as a company.

They realize that mistakes are just part of the necessary

Regarding aspiring employees they need to learn to build

learning curve and should not be hidden. They believe

out their network; connect with people who they went to

in transparency to build trust. They strive to be both em-

school with, or worked with. Add your friends and family.

powering while holding themselves and their teams ac-

Then learn about the companies and cultures you aspire

countable.

A SPECIAL CONVERSATION

WITH PAT WADORS, Senior Vice President of Global Talent Organization at LinkedIn

ful and fastest growing companies in Silicon Valley and the world. Pat joined LinkedIn in January 2013 “to lead its world-class talent (HR) team. In addition to hiring, retaining and inspiring top talent, Pat is also responsible for all employee related HR programs at LinkedIn, including compensation and benefits and performance management”. Since her arrival, the company has nearly tripled in size. All this, and more, is why she is one of the most respected voices in business. In this brief conversation, enjoy what is some of her vision and philosophies, as we indeed have …

SVL: How do you see HR evolving – from what it was to where it is and your vision of where you see it heading?

PW: HR is evolving from a function that is often viewed as process oriented to more of an innovative role. Typically, HR folks are not the first to deviate from the norm, but successful companies will have HR teams that are not only subject matter experts but they innovate at the same time. They are the ones in the industry that are making Human Resources hip and progressive. This is what we aspire to at LinkedIn. For instance, I am always looking to move the needle and to

yond their own boarders and think of talent issues that affect the world. They become game changers.

SVL: Regarding talent – What are some of the key elements looked for – How important are data analytics and PW: When it comes to talent I hire for humility and intellectual curiosity. The candidate needs to have a decent amount of the skills required for the role, but as long as they have humility and curiosity, then the rest can almost

The HR Organization of the Future … What Does It Mean?” nization at LinkedIn. LinkedIn is one of the most success-

ny culture. Typically, these are individuals who think be-

what can aspiring employees learn to improve?

“How LinkedIn Is Creating

Pat Wadors is Senior Vice President of Global Talent Orga-

have the ability to inspire leaders and influence compa-

gain a fresh perspective. What better way to do this, and tap into the collective brainpower, than by bringing together the best and the brightest interns from around the Bay Area? We did just that this past summer when we hosted our first ever HR Hackathon event. Teams comprised of technical and non-technical interns competed against each other to come up with the coolest, most creative, out-of-the box solutions to today’s toughest HR problems. Over 150 interns from companies across the Bay Area participated, and the energy level and breadth of ideas generated from each team was inspiring.

The future of HR is not about avoiding policies and processes, it is more about innovation and knowing what should be global vs. local, and creating unique experiences that differentiate your company. These leaders help evolve/create an amazing talent brand for their organizations and influence HR practices in their community. They are willing to experiment and compete for talent in new ways.

I meet with my peers and other HR and Talent Acquisition leaders every single week. What I am discovering, are more leaders are in that third bucket or are leaders who aspire to be in that space. It means taking more intelligent risks. They

Pat Wadors and participants of LinkedIn’s inaugural HR Hackathon.

Photo credit: Tony Chung

always be learned.

to work for. Connect with those employees and see how

I am also a strong believer in treating people beautiful-

they navigate the company. Remember – a company’s

ly. At LinkedIn we are in hyper growth and in order to

best hire is a referral from someone else at the company.

maintain our wonderful culture we need to continue to

If you really want to work somewhere try to find alum-

hire people who believe in this sentiment. We also need

ni from your alma mater that already works there, grab

to constantly reinforce our culture through our behav-

coffee with a current employee, follow the company, etc.

iors and decisions we make every

Leverage your network to help you get your next job.

day. Pulsing our employees twice a year on an employee voice sur-

SVL: HR is the catalyst - What

vey is one way in which we gauge

makes a good employee, man-

our culture and engagement.

ager, leader desirable and great

To help drive talent strategies

for the company and also for the

that truly enable our businesses

employee, himself/herself?

success – we need data. Talent Analytics is the new oil.

PW: I believe that a good em-

At LinkedIn we have built a talent analytics team to help

ployee is always learning, has a strong work ethic and is a

us find, engage, hire and retain the right people. The data

brand ambassador for their organization.

helps us understand things like where the candidates

Managers and leaders need to lead the way. They cre-

are, what skillsets they have, and who our competition is.

ate the vision that others aspire to achieve. They need to

This data also helps me keep an eye on our organization-

be authentic and treat people beautifully. They should

al health. What is our hiring pattern? Where do we have

ensure their teams are working on a good mix of proj-

the most effective leaders? What do they do different

ects that both stretches them in their skills and contrib-

that we can leverage in other teams? What are the key

utes to the success of the company. They encourage the

drivers to engagement? Data helps us solve problems

team to come to the table with solutions, not problems.

and improve as a company.

They realize that mistakes are just part of the necessary

Regarding aspiring employees they need to learn to build

learning curve and should not be hidden. They believe

out their network; connect with people who they went to

in transparency to build trust. They strive to be both em-

school with, or worked with. Add your friends and family.

powering while holding themselves and their teams ac-

Then learn about the companies and cultures you aspire

countable.

BayAreaMags.com Greetings to all, Welcome to our new website BayAreaMags.com! For your convenience, we’ve established a single gateway to the information you seek via our various publications that include Silicon Valley Local, Peninsula Local, San Francisco Local, East Bay Local and Finally Friday Weekend Magazine, with more to come.

We hope that you have shared in the excitement of some of our recent cover features that have included Jed York, Owner/CEO San Francisco 49ers, Larry Baer, CEO San Francisco Giants, Lew Wolff, Owner Oakland A’s and Congresswoman Jackie Speier. We simply couldn’t deliver without our terrific team of editorial contributors who lend their expertise and insight to what’s going on in the Bay Area.

And what about what our readers have contributed? When you’re wondering what to do on a weekend in the Bay Area, be sure to visit FinallyFriday.com.

Since October 2007, community members, like you and me, have been sharing what’s fun – old or new, refined or funky!

Be on the lookout as we begin publishing our network of Webzines in selected cities throughout the U.S. Read us soon, Rich Borell, Founder & CEO and our discerning mascot, Hailey

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Offering a modern interpretation of the classic American steakhouse with hints of Japanese influence.

Alexander’s Steakhouse Redefining Seafood in the Bay Area The Sea By Alexander’s Steakhouse is the Bay Area’s premier seafood dining destination. The

Alexander’s Steakhouse is a fine dining interpretation of the classic American steakhouse with hints of Japanese influence throughout the menu. Featuring a variety of classic cuts such as Porterhouse, T-bone and New York, we specialize in Certified Angus Beef grain-fed from the Mid-West. We

restaurant distinguishes itself by focusing on rich sumptuous morsels from the sea, prepared with modern technique and flair. Chef Yu Min Lin blends contemporary cuisine with Japanese sensibility and ingredients to transform The Sea’s menu into the extraordinary.

also highlight dry-aged steaks and offer the finest and most luxurious products available including a tasting menu and an award winning wine list.

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Having An Impact & Making A Difference For Community Where Would We Be Without Our Nonprofits?

“Our Nonprofits play a critical role in the world we live in today. People in the community don’t realize how much they do and how that affects the quality of life for every one of us. They contribute so much.”

Thus began this insightful and inspiring conversation with Porcia Chen Silverberg.

PLM: Where do you work and what do you do?

PCS: I am the Executive Director at Thrive – The Alliance of Porcia Chen Silverberg Executive Director, Nonprofits for San Mateo Thrive - The Alliance of County Nonprofits for San Mateo Thrive was established County in 2000 by a group of leaders from the nonprofit sector to help promote collaboration and support nonprofits, in order to strengthen the economic and social health of San Mateo County.

With a membership of nearly 200 members,

Thrive is a “go-to hub” for people who want to make a difference for San Mateo County, as well as the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. We are a conduit for Government and Nonprofits. Instead of making 50 to 200 calls, they can make one call to me. I love to connect people and organizations.

For Thrive, I do pretty much everything that’s asked of a nonprofit leader - I am the chief Fundraiser, Evangelist, Member Relationships Director, Outreach Director and Ambassador. I am very fortunate to have an incredible associate, Cindy. Together, with the support of a handful of volunteers, we run all of Thrive’s programs. I am very proud of what we are able to accomplish.

PLM: Where did you grow up, go to school and what did you study?

PCS: I was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan, until I was almost 14 when we moved to Denver, Colorado. I went on to study Communications at the University of Colorado at Boulder …

To read the rest of Porcia’s great article, please go to our Silicon Valley Talk website (www.siliconvalleytalk.com) and enjoy the balance under the category “Non-Profits”.

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The Art of Helping Many Where Help is Needed A VISIT WITH DR. EMMETT CARSON & SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION “Lifelong Philanthropy - Here in Silicon Valley, we have a front-row seat to view trends, not only in the tech sector that gives us our name but also in philanthropy. Here, where the ceiling for wealth is high, and so are the needs of those without it, we’re seeing a major shift …

“We are seeing more people embrace philanthropy … Developing ways to partner with them in achieving their charitable passions is our job … Philanthropy is becoming a lifelong pursuit, one that addresses a wide range of problems, issues and needs … The effect this trend will have on our communities is up to all of us.” - Dr. Emmett Carson A VERY SPECIAL MERGER It was October, 2006, when Dr. Emmett Carson was recruited to oversee the merger of the Peninsula Community Foundation (San Mateo County) and the Community Foundation Silicon Valley (Santa Clara County).

The merger took place in January, 2007, and for Dr. Carson it meant moving to California from Minnesota to undertake the unprecedented challenge of merging two separate community foundations – an attempt to unite donors in two very different counties, as well as bridge many different business communities and city politics.

Predictably, there would be a lot of resistance.

Dr. Carson accepted this challenge, becoming CEO and President in late 2006. He is the first to say that the merger of the two entities – whose staffs

were almost completely unknown to one another – was a collaboration that took shape over time.

As CEO, Dr. Carson has continued to lead a unified Silicon Valley Community Foundation to new heights. The nonprofit organization has grown exponentially thanks to the great staff, the many wonderful relationships built, the overall inspiring group of partners, and its many donors. Silicon Valley Community Foundation has become the largest community foundation in the nation and in the world.

SVCF’s work in the community locally, nationally and globally continues to grow. “Our grantmaking activity in 2014 is just one example of the incredible generosity of individuals and corporations throughout the Bay Area,” said Dr. Carson.

In addition, SVCF launched the Center for

Early Learning, reinforcing its commitment to Silicon Valley’s young children and their families. Research completed last year included the 2014 Silicon Valley Index in partnership with Joint Venture Silicon Valley, and a report on human trafficking in Silicon Valley, completed in partnership with Juniper Networks Foundation Fund and Not For Sale. The first project of the Center for Early Learning was the Parent Story Project, a first-of-its-kind on the well-being of Silicon Valley parents. Plus SVCF also was honored to co-host a historic meeting at the White House of representatives from more than 150 community foundations and government agencies.

SVCF “By The Numbers” 2014: Contributions: $1.96 Billion … Assets under management $6.5 Billion Grants: $474 Million (awarded from all funds) … Number of Grants: 65,500, including those from matching gift programs Grants: $216 Million to Bay Area charities ... Grants: $18 Million to International Charities …

Countries: 57 received grants, including the U.S.

attended Chicago public schools, then Morehouse College and then Princeton University. When he was very young he experienced a tragedy when a neighbor’s child was shot and killed. Dr. Carson’s family quickly picked up and moved across town. He remembers, it was between 3rd and 4th grade. His life, he said, changed. The family moved just 30 blocks away and, yet, it was a world of difference. He saw and he experienced the differences in inequality and social justice. It was two worlds apart. This would impact him and his work - his entire life - to this very day.

Role models were his mom and dad. They taught him about “Heroes” and “Sheros” in black history. His father would read to him every night about successful African-American professionals, which truly inspired the young Dr. Carson. He had learned so much about African-American professionals, and all minorities, that it fed him a sense of wanting to make a difference for many, for all people. This spoke to him: “Hey, the world can be what you make of it.”

At Morehouse, he EXPERIENCING AN thought he would go to law ALL-IMPORTANT school and be an attorney.

PARTNERING But he had a professor With its individual, (who was kidding at family and corporate the time) who said he donors, as well as nonprofit would not endorse him partners, Silicon Valley for law school (he would SVGives, hosted by SVCF, raised $8 million Community Foundation have, he later admitted). for local charities in one day in 2014. is working to make a big Instead, he recommended positive difference for many Economics and Public of our nonprofits and our community as a whole.

Policy, saying: “It would be a stronger major for Dr. Carson added, “There are many who live you … that you can influence people every day.” and work in Silicon Valley, who are wonderful It would be more impactful for Dr. Carson, he supporters of Silicon Valley Community suggested, and as things have turned out, he was Foundation, who are from all around the world. right. He was Dr. Carson’s advisor in school …

Many donors are multi-dimensional. They see and is one of his “Heroes.” themselves as global citizens. It is important to them where they want to make a difference, for PREPARATION FOR THE WORK TO BE DONE where they have come from, and also for a better Morehouse, Dr. Carson said, prepared him very world.” When asked if he thinks philanthropists well. It was a time when being African-American can move mountains, Dr. Carson responded, “I felt challenging and that the education he received hope so.” there gave him confidence … and a feeling that he was ready, prepared, for the highs and the lows of THE ROAD TO SILICON VALLEY attending Princeton.

Dr. Carson was born and raised in Chicago. He The mental preparedness was so helpful, being

just one of a handful of African-American students to complete that program … and the first to have been accepted in the middle of the year. There would be positives and negatives … It was a whole new world, he felt. “Someone’s got to be first, so being a first at anything, you have to carry your own weight.”

FIRST DESTINATION: THE FORD FOUNDATION. WHAT WAS THAT LIKE? Fresh out of Princeton, the young Dr. Emmett Carson was recruited to work for the Ford Foundation. “It was a fantastic opportunity,” he said. “There were many brilliant people all around me. It was like a university with some of the most brilliant people … together there to create a better world.” He had a mentor while there, from whom he learned much about philanthropy. He learned plenty, he said, about what philanthropy can do and how to work it effectively. This helped prepare him early on and very well for what was to come.

NEXT DESTINATION: THE MINNEAPOLIS FOUNDATION. WHAT WAS THAT LIKE? From the Ford Foundation, he was recruited to become the CEO of The Minneapolis Foundation.

At the young age of just 33, he was already being asked to be the CEO of one of the largest community foundations in the country.

Emmett shared, “The pressure was, for example, when making a $500,000 decision on something … making sure I got it right. I learned it was so important to know the people, the histories, the politics … who over-promises and who under-delivers. It’s about big risky things. It’s not as risky when we know the actors and who we are betting on. It’s also very important to be a part of the community.”

THEN THE WEST COAST CALLED … WELCOME TO SILICON VALLEY At that time came this challenge, this opportunity, to come to Silicon Valley. Dr. Carson shared: “It was exciting to come here, to execute a merger that was unprecedented. (1) Can you get this merger off the ground; can you get it to work?

(2) Can you be an advocate on important issues, where it would be tough, and still raise the money and the support needed? (3) Can you bring our partners, our companies, our governments

together to approach and find solutions for these large issues facing us?

Dr. Carson, as we have seen, was up to it … and also with the great art of collaborating. Here and now, working closely together with Carl Guardino, the CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, is a perfect example. He discussed the importance of “the three-legged stool” functioning right, together, in this case, namely: Nonprofits, Business and Government. It’s imperative that we need to work together for rightful solutions.

Just the night before our meeting, he and Carl went together as a team to Sacramento (Dr. Carson representing the nonprofits community sector and Carl the business community sector) and met with our legislative leaders (representing the government community sector). Their

Emmett Carson greets families in December, 2014, at Caltrain Holiday Train presented by SVCF.

message was this: “If we don’t address these pressing issues that we face today in housing, transportation and education, if we don’t take action, it has certainly reached the crisis point that we will choke off our own success … for our present and our future.”

ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC? When asked if he’s optimistic, without hesitation, Dr. Carson responded, “I’m very optimistic because we have all the raw materials here. We have amazing smart people here who have figured out such amazing things. We have resources here that are financial to help us get what we will need. And we have a state of mind

regarding changing rapidly, a cultural mind set, to change. What’s been missing has been the political will. And we have reached a point, especially with housing, transportation and education, a convenience for some and a problem for others. It has become a problem for everyone … that has become intolerable for all.

many together, making a big positive difference.

A SPECIAL DAY AND CAUSE OF CARING: SILICON VALLEY GIVES. Another great example is “Silicon Valley Gives.” Initially, it was to have been a one-dayonly event. There have been Days of Giving in other cities - some successful, some not. Here, there would be challenges … In Santa Clara and THE THREE-LEGGED STOOL AND A PLAN IN San Mateo Counties, where there are 41 different PLACE? communities. People are busy, tens of thousands “Do we have a 5-10 year plan that we of commuters from the South Bay heading north presented or are things on the drawing board? and tens of thousands heading south. Unlike No, I think it’s somewhere in between … where other cities, where there is a central city, with a we have a good idea where the Valley is … central media, newspaper and social network: institutions where we’re doing well … and where “which you could depend on for a successful we’re falling down. Now the issue is to see if the campaign” … not so here, this was totally political energy is there to move forward with unchartered waters. some of the issues that we face. Now, it’s a matter Key sponsors stepped forward in 2014: The of the government to make specific bills and turn John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and them into action. To hopefully get enough support Microsoft, also the Sobrato Family Foundation and behind them … and then hopefully a Governor’s the David & Lucile Packard Foundation and PayPal, signature on them.” meaning the costs would be met and everything raised would benefit local grant-making initiatives.

FROM WORKING TOGETHER COMES The staff at Silicon Valley Community Foundation POSSIBILITY diligently researched how other communities were What is Dr. Carson’s vision? He sees that there successful … and a significant commitment of time are a lot of nonprofit and for-profit leaders who are across the organization was allocated to plan and heroes, too many to mention or single out, plus implement for the overall event. many partners that they are very blessed to work Silicon Valley Gives 2014 was a wonderful with. “It is a pleasure and privilege to meet with success. By The Numbers: $8,000,833 was raised, people every day to help make their dreams into 674 nonprofits participated and benefited. There reality … and our community a great and better were 14,889 donors, 21,869+ unique donations place to live and work.” and $233 was the average gift size. All in one He added, “It is this belief that is so inspiring day, a day no one was sure about, speaks well of for our community and the world … So what’s Possibility. exciting is that we get together with donors and discuss with them ‘Possibility Starts Here’ and how WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT OUR NON they would like to see our community benefit, how PROFITS? WHERE WOULD OUR NON PROFITS they would like to see change in the world. Our BE WITHOUT SVCF? donors are generous to all kinds of great causes.”

P.S. There’s great news ahead. On May 5, 2015, there will be a Silicon Valley Gives II ! What WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO HELP? a Cinco de Mayo it will be. There’s also a Silicon Two great examples. One is “The Big Lift” in Valley Gives 2016 planned now, too. What a San Mateo County. This effort to ensure all the Big Positive Difference this will make in helping county’s children can read well by third grade benefit many nonprofits and our community. has been undertaken by a consortium of over It is these special partnerships and the many 100 nonprofit organizations, including the county people working together that make these kind Board of Education. A federal grant of $7.5 of Possibilities real for our today and tomorrow. million in private donations will help the entire These are but a few examples where Silicon Valley county. It’s not one single effort, but many, where Community Foundation has done much and each one is important, and this represents so continues to help many where help is needed.

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FERTILITY PRESERVATION 5 Things You Should Know

By Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh

Your fertility isn’t skin deep. It’s as simple as that. Just because you look like you’re 28 when you’re 42, doesn’t mean your ovaries are the same. Unlike men who don’t run out of sperm, it is totally normal and expected for every woman to run out of eggs by a certain age. The average age of menopause is 51 and it’s very difficult to get pregnant during the 10 years leading up to that age.

Some of us are born with more eggs or run out at a slower rate but at the end of the day most women are not fertile in their 40’s.

It’s unfair for women to be made to feel like there’s something wrong with them when they’re told they’re not fertile at the age of 40. Not many women are fertile in their 40’s. Empower yourself with knowledge about your fertility so you can learn more about your options.

Running out of eggs doesn’t mean you also run out of options. Women in their 40’s often turn to more creative ways to grow their family: donor eggs, donor embryos and adoption just to name a few. I find that most of my patients who see me over the age of 40 say they wish they had frozen their eggs when they could have. Women today sadly learn that they’re running out of eggs at the same time that they decide to start a family. Egg freezing technology has changed dramatically over the past 5 years or so.

Women don’t have to say that they wish they froze their eggs 10 years ago…..a time when egg freezing success rates weren’t as good as they are today. The time is now to ask your doctor whether egg freezing is for you. Here’s what you should know: 1. There are tests you can do to find

Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh Photos by Jennifer Crandall

out more about your fertility. Your doctor can order an Anti Mullerian Hormone level (AMH) as a guide regarding how much battery you have in your biological clock.

Cycle day 3 FSH and estradiol levels and an antral follicle count (ultrasound looking at your ovaries often done by a reproductive endocrinologist) can also be used clinically as a guide.

2. If your Mom or other female family members had fertility issues related to conditions like endometriosis or early menopause, you should strongly consider preserving your fertility and seeing a doctor

to talk more about your options.

3. There are some medical conditions that require drug treatments that can be what we call “gonadotoxic” ie result in damage to eggs or sperm.

Patients who are diagnosed with conditions like Lupus, blood disorders, and cancer are often put on chemotherapeutic Dr. Eyvazzadeh has been hosting “Egg Freezing Parties” designed to raise awareness of fertility issues since 2014. drugs. Freezing eggs/sperm Harvard Medical School, she completed a can give these patients a chance for pregnancy in the future fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility at University of Michigan. She after their treatment is over if they run out also completed a Masters in Public Health in of eggs earlier because of the treatments.

Health Management and Policy at University 4. Freezing eggs for future use is best in of Michigan. She has a private practice in younger women because our eggs have a the SF Bay Area. higher chance of being viable the younger Each day she hears story after story we are. If you’re considering freezing your from women struggling to conceive. In her eggs in your late 30’s, you could still have a attempt to alleviate some of this heartbreak, good chance for pregnancy. Speaking with she has gone on a mission of “fertility a fertility specialist would be helpful before awareness”. Her hope is to empower you decide to freeze your eggs. women at an early age, making them more 5. Egg freezing involves a surgical aware of their own personal fertility levels procedure. Women have to take selfadministered shots in the skin of their lower and allowing them to be better educated about their options. Never again does she abdomen for about 10 days prior to the egg want to hear “If I had known 10 years ago extraction procedure.

To hear more about the process of IVF or that my egg reserves were running low, I would have done things differently”. egg freezing, please read Dr. Aimee’s next In 2014, she launched her message with article.

“Egg Freezing Parties”. These hosted parties Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh is a native of offer women a chance to learn more about the Bay Area. She is a graduate of UCLA egg freezing and ask their questions in a School of Medicine. After completing her comfortable, safe environment with likeresidency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at minded women.

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and

Local Community Spotlight

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Welcome to San Mateo San Mateo is a beautiful, vibrant city, located in the heart of the Peninsula. It is literally located in the center San Mateo County, located approximately ½ hour south of San Francisco and ½ hour north of Palo Alto, the two outer edges of the county, convenient to get to and from.

San Mateo has been designated as one of the Top 100 Places to Live in 2015 by Livability.com.

The population is listed as just over 97,000.

The median income is listed as being just over $87,000 and the median real estate value listed just over $720,000. The grade school rating average for the San Mateo / Foster City School District is listed very favorably with a 7 out of 10 rating.

San Mateo is conveniently located between Highways 101 and 280, the two being connected

by Highway 92. If you were to take Highway 92

further west, it will take you to Half Moon Bay and the Pacific Ocean … further east, it will take you via the San Mateo Bridge to the East Bay. The train and bus systems (Caltrain and Samtrans, respectively) are also a big plus.

Also, you need not go far for the San Francisco Airport, which is approximately 5-10 minutes north on Highway 101.

Being that San Mateo is a great place to live, it is also a great place to work. There are many companies, small, medium and large, that enjoy a happy presence here. The economy is thriving and, therefore, city improvements are, too.

There is a popular downtown, a lovely Central Park, an Expo Center and County Fairgrounds, plus fabulous shopping and dining throughout all San Mateo that make it a favorite destination for any kind of occasion. Indeed, there is never a shortage of things to do here in San Mateo.

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Meet Rosanne Foust President and CEO SAMCEDA PLM: What is your position and what do you do?

RF: I am the President and CEO of the San Mateo County Economic Development Association, also known as SAMCEDA. SAMCEDA was founded in 1953 and represents a contingent of leading Bay area businesses, institutions, organizations and entrepreneurs. We are recognized for our experienced, impact-driven approach as a business advocacy organization.

PLM: How long have you been doing this and what do you love most about your work?

RF: I joined SAMCEDA in July of 2008 and thoroughly enjoy what I do. Having a vibrant economy impacts all our communities on many levels. On the Peninsula, we expect our cities to provide top notch services, we expect to have well-maintained parks and open space to enjoy, and we expect an efficient transportation infrastructure. In order to have all this (and more) we need a vibrant economy that can sustain and enhance our quality of life. SAMCEDA works to ensure that these expectations become reality. These are tough issues, but I am energized by finding solutions that make this a great place to live, work and play.

PLM: There are many organizations you work with and Boards you serve on – you are a hub of everything and everyone – who and what inspires you?

RF: My parents never had very much from a material point of view. By todays’ standards we would be poor, actually very poor and yet I never felt poor. We never owned a home, my Dad worked three jobs at various points in his life, we never had a new car…always a used one, we never went on an overnight family vacation, we didn’t have music, art or dance lessons and yet we were rich in what really mattered. They instilled in me and my brother and sister the value of hard work, education and treating others as you want to be treated. They instilled the importance of family and faith. They read newspapers and watched the news and made sure we were aware of current

events and what was happening in the world.

They voted and were proud of our flag and this country. I think of these lessons often and these lessons are what inspire me.

PLM: What are some of your proudest accomplishments?

RF: This is easy…my two daughters, Julia and Lydia. Raising children is the hardest and most rewarding job I will ever have and one that keeps me challenged, grateful and very proud. Lydia is 13 and in 8th grade. She is a terrific student and excels at multiple sports. She has a wonderful sense of humor and makes me think! Julia is 18 and in her first year at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. When we were looking at various colleges and universities she said more than once that she wanted to go somewhere that would challenge and motivate her. When she decided on the Academy many people asked why. Her answer was simple, “I wanted to be part of something greater than me.” As a parent, I could not be more proud of both daughters.

PLM: What are some key challenging issues we are facing you would like us to know about?

RF: The biggest challenge I see on the horizon is fear of change. Society is moving at a faster pace than I think anyone could ever have anticipated and sometimes the immediate reaction is “No. Stop. I want everything to slow down.” Recognizing that change is inevitable we collectively need to find ways that engage both points of view. Those that see change as positive and those that see change as negative.

PLM: What can we do to help make this an even better community?

RF: Be open, flexible, patient, kind, resourceful, creative, hardworking, dedicated, committed, willing to engage and grateful for the freedoms and opportunities we have.

1301 Shoreway Road, Suite 150 Belmont, CA 94002 • 650-413-5600 • www.samceda.org www.facebook.com/samceda • twitter.com/SAMCEDA What We Offer • An Influential Voice and a Seat at the Table – on issues that affect your business.

• Direct Communication – with top federal, state, regional and local political leaders, groups, and stakeholders.

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BUSINESS

One of the primary objectives of SAMCEDA is to support, champion, recognize and bring attention to the San Mateo County business community. All too often the contributions made by business to the economic health and well being of a community are overlooked and under appreciated. For San Mateo County a healthy business community directly translates to a healthy community and SAMCEDA strives to spread that message in a variety of ways.

In a new study commissioned by SAMCEDA and our Economic Vitality Research and Education Foundation we examine the changes in Labor Supply and Commute Patterns in San Mateo County. The understanding of labor demand coupled with existing data that illustrates the County’s labor demand volatility will assist business, government, non-profits, and our education community on the primary drivers of employment growth and decline. It will guide our efforts to exploit the regional strengths in attracting new establishments and their related employment. It will also assist us with our workforce development efforts and the training needs of our current and future employers.

Congresswoman Anna Eschoo

POLICY

Garth Saloner

ECONOMY

Public policy is an area of primary involvement for SAMCEDA in its advocacy and leadership efforts. Focusing on national, state, regional and local legislation and policy initiatives, SAMCEDA’s broad, pro-business based approach provides for informed perspective and action on critical policy issues.

“For over half a century SAMCEDA has worked in partnership with businesses, elected leaders, educators, labor and non-profits, as well as many others to promote San Mateo County as THE PLACE to work, live and prosper.”

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BAY AREA LEGENDS A WALK & TALK DOWN MEMORY LANE WITH

AL ATTLES W

e met in what was a different day and age. Yet, it seems like yesterday. I remember the team arriving … It was amid a lot of excitement back then. It was 1962. Professional basketball was coming to San Francisco and the Bay Area! Meet the NBA … Meet the Warriors … Meet Al Attles.

It was just a few years before, in 1958, Major League Baseball had just successfully moved the Brooklyn Dodgers to Los Angeles and the New York Giants to San Francisco, becoming the first two professional baseball teams west of the Mississippi. In 1962, the National Basketball Association (the NBA) followed, and successfully moved the Minneapolis Lakers to Los Angeles and the Philadelphia Warriors to San Francisco, becoming the first two professional basketball teams west of the Mississippi.

It was quite an era here back then. John Kennedy was President, no sign yet of the Beatles (and their concert at Candlestick Park coming just a bit later in 1964) and our San Francisco Giants, in just their 5th year here and playing in what was a “beautiful” new Candlestick Park, were playing the New York Yankees in the World Series. It would be two years later, in 1964, San Francisco would host the GOP National Convention here at the San Francisco Cow Palace, starring Barry Goldwater. It would be 23 years later, in 1985, for Super Bowl XIX at the older Stanford Stadium and 54 years later, in 2016, for Super Bowl 50 to return to the Bay Area. During this time, the 49ers have won 5 Super Bowls, the Giants have won two World Series and the Warriors have won one NBA Championship, in 1975, with Al Attles as the Head Coach.

Fast forward to the present day and it’s the same wonderful Al Attles. The same warm, friendly smile, the same positive endearing energy and the same unforgettable and most recognizable voice. And, now, there’s all this wonderful history, stories and people we can talk about, too. Al is everyone’s best friend and everyone is Al’s best friend. Case in point, to this very day, his North Carolina A&T basketball teammates are all still extremely close. They won championships playing together as a team some 50+ years ago and they still talk with one another, frequently, all the time, and as recently as just yesterday …

To read the rest of Coach Al Attles’ great article, please go to our Silicon Valley Talk website (www.siliconvalleytalk.com) and enjoy the balance under the category “Sports”.

Name: Jeff Selzer Last ride: Redwood Gulch Favorite Ride: Anywhere in Tuscany Last book I read: The Road to Character

by David Brooks

Photo: Jay Watson

My Bike: Trek Madone 7.9

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A CONVERSATION WITH DAVE RIGHETTI, PITCHING COACH OF THE THREE-TIME WORLD CHAMPION SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

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hey call him “Rags”. Dave Righetti was born and raised locally, in Willow Glen, San Jose. He enjoyed a 16-year major league pitching career and is currently in his 16th season as the extraordinary pitching coach of our three-time World Series Champion San Francisco Giants. Three World Series Championships in the last five years. It’s very special, as was our conversation.

What’s It Like Being Dave Righetti?

I’ll be honest with you, it feels good. You get in this mode, coaching in baseball, and fortunately it’s easier to stay in the game longer as a coach than as a player. There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing.

It’s great, but there’s also the heartache. If you don’t win the World Series, you’re considered a loser.

Unfortunately, many don’t have this gratification of

winning at the end. There’s only one team in 30 each year that does.

The Giants moved to San Francisco in 1958.

There have been many great players and many great teams. In all those years prior to 2010, they hadn’t had this great experience of winning it all, not like we have, in 2010, 2012 and 2014.

“The Giants Win The Pennant!” What Does That Feel Like?

To see the faces of Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Orlando Cepeda, Juan Marichal and Gaylord Perry, each time when we won the World Series, it’s been priceless, so gratifying. When I was with the Yankees, the old-timers all had rings. These past five years, when relaxing during our off-season and watching a 49ers or Warriors game, the thought, the feeling would come over me, ‘Gosh darn it, we won it!’ It’s such a great feeling. You win as a team, as a city … something everyone will remember and they so appreciate.

Is There A Magic Formula To Winning?

There are people who have been here, it seems, forever. Somewhere along the line, you’re grateful for that longevity. With the Yankees, I saw 14 different managers come and go … Billy Martin four of those times! Lou Pinella twice! Just in my time.

It just doesn’t work well; it wears guys down.

The reason the Yankees started winning again, was Joe Torre came in to manage. The core got good and stuck together. And you build around that … fill in for players that don’t fit. It became good when Joe Torre came around. He calmed the boat, things settled down, and together they kept the pieces together. Sounds a lot like us, with Boch, and where we are as a team and an organization, today.

This Attitude of Winning It All, Where Does It Come from?

Here, we thought it was going to happen even sooner than when it did. With Larry Baer and Brian Sabean and the scouting team … the fabulous ownership group that’s put money into this team, starting back in1992, and the building of our beautiful ballpark … I’m very happy for these folks.

It’s an amazing organization. They treat people really well. They understand the team, the

organization, the community. I cannot believe the stamina of Larry Baer and everyone in the front office. It’s a love affair between the team and the community and the community with the team. It’s working out, I can tell you that.

A Special Moment, What Was It Like Throwing Your No-Hitter?

It was July 4th, 1983. That day, that moment, made me feel very good, and over the years you just don’t forget it. It was against our rival, the Boston Red Sox. It was Yankee Stadium. It was Lou Gehrig’s Day … AND it was also George Steinbrenner’s birthday.

And the YES Network (the Yankees TV Network) plays it every year, all the time. Now, it’s a good thing. But then, I was kind of afraid. You know if George saw your name in the paper too much, it wasn’t a good thing. There was a mentality there for a young guy, ‘Don’t get too big for your britches’. It was a ‘They could send you out of here’ kind-of-thing. I was leary of that when I did it. I was happy we won the game and we beat the Red Sox, but I was still afraid.

It was also the All-Star “Getaway Day”; it was like ‘Spring Break’, where everyone immediately took off following the game. After my interviews, everybody was pretty much gone.

They got three days off, they had their packed suitcases with them at the stadium and they left.

When I walked into the clubhouse, there weren’t many guys left.

So, too, the team record for saves. It was something that just felt natural, not like today, where everything is so celebrated. I held the record for a long time (it was not until years later when Mariano Rivera broke it). But if we lost, if we didn’t win the World Series (which happened each year I was there), it was awful.

I didn’t have a family there, I didn’t have kids, yet, back then; so, who could I enjoy it with?

Over the years you finally start to appreciate it. But until then, when you’re not winning championships, there wasn’t all that much to celebrate.

Your Greatest Moment?

Indeed, by far, my marriage to my wife, Kandice and the birth of our three wonderful kids, beautiful triplets. It was hard when the triplets were born. I was with the Giants then, and we were on the road in Montreal, about ready to come back home. It was early yet when I got the call that the babies would soon be born, I would be back in time for everything, or so everyone thought.

The moment came, and proceeded, quickly. Our three came prematurely, and to this day, it’s painful for me that I wasn’t there. And also you always want the very best for your kids. Being triplets, it was a challenging delivery. Today, they are all doing awesome. To see them doing their things and finding their niche, it’s so very wonderful. I couldn’t be happier or prouder.

What’s It Like Being At The Ballpark?

The coaching staff, and in particular, Gardy (the Giants Bullpen Coach, Mark Gardner) and I, are all very close and work very well together. You know this family thing we talk about? When you are together for such a long period of time, you are lucky.

There’s no story book ending all the time. You know, the Brady / Belichick winning / success tandem is what everyone strives for.

In our game, it’s about consistency and being good. I’m happy to be around that and coach that.

If not being able to share that, then it’d be just a paycheck. For me, for us, it’s all so much more, so much about everything else. I feel we couldn’t be more fortunate or love more what we do.

Do You Have Heroes?

Yes, my parents … and the people I grew up with. For example, the mailman, the milkman.

These are the people I saw all the time, they were our friends. These were my role models. I ‘lived’ at the bowling alley. My parents bowled and I kept score. My father was a truck driver and my friends

from school all went to community college or trade school. It was a simple life … that’s all I thought of being. Once I got to New York, the dynamics changed. It was the largest city in the world … and with so much going on.

Were You Close With Anybody In Particular?

Yes, everybody. I got drafted at a young age, at 19, by the Texas Rangers. There were a lot of guys from my home, from the Bay Area and California, on the team when I got drafted. “Paddy” Cottrell was the scout for the Rangers and was from here. He was the outstanding baseball coach at Santa Clara University (and had also been my father’s Quarter Master in World War II). He wanted to draft me, and people like that, of course, you listen to. They have been around and they have seen a lot. Back then you didn’t have many people telling you things; but, bits and pieces from someone like “Paddy”, for me, it was big.

If you got any advice, it was helpful. Remember, there was no video. My father had been an exminor league player (with the San Francisco Seals!).

He played for 14 years. He couldn’t tell me how to pitch. But what he did do, ‘You know this fellow at that school, he’s pitched, go ask him’. My parents were my role models.

In a funny way, George Steinbrenner was, too. You wondered how he did so much of what he did, but you had to admire him. In the sports world when you think of greatness you think of

achievement, and in society you have to earn it. You feel you have to keep your eye on it, or someone will come along and take away your job. Those mentors stayed that way for me. People like Don Mattingly, Willie Randolph, Ron Guidry were like brothers.

Guidry was my locker mate.

Who Can You Talk To … Anyone?

Can you talk with Don Mattingly? We’re very close and, of course, Don is now the manager of the rival Dodgers. We’d love to, but the players don’t like it if we talk before a game. We’d love to talk … and, of course, we wouldn’t share anything. We have the highest respect for each other and that will never change. Another is Matt Williams, now the manager of the Washington Nationals. We were locker mates for three years with the Giants. Mike Matheny, manager of the St. Louis Cardinals is, yet, another; I coached Mike here with the Giants, and Mike Aldrette, his bench coach. We were teammates and close friends. Bob Melvin, manager of the Oakland A’s is, yet, another; he, Bob Brenly, Matt Williams and I have always been very close … we still are and always will be. When we won our championships, yes, I heard from my former Yankee teammates … and many others, as well … from all around. Yes, a ton!

A Love and Appreciation For The Game …

When the old timers came in for Old Timer’s Day at Yankee Stadium, we let them share our lockers.

Mine, I shared with Lefty Gomez. It was such a thrill for me to see him and everyone there. For a young guy, and being a Yankee, it was a huge thing!

I wish the Giants held an annual Old Timer’s Day. The Giants do a lot for their alumni, but I think this would be great, much like it is every year in New York … for the players and the fans. In New York you had two wants – One was to make the team and be there for Opening Day because Opening Day at Yankee Stadium is something you just can’t explain.

And two, Old Timer’s Day, you need to be there for that. Indeed, having your picture taken on Opening Day and for Old Timer’s Day, there’s nothing quite like it.

You know, when we won our three World Series Championships, all three were on the road. It’s too bad that we couldn’t do it in front of our fans. But, each time, with the ballpark afterward being empty, it allowed us to come back to the field and soak it all up – which I would do. This last series, vs. the

Royals was especially meaningful for me. The Royals were our big rival when I was with the Yankees.

Those were the George Brett years, so to beat them is always big. And the Royals pitching coach, Dave Elland, was my teammate from the Yankees.

What’s This About The Energy, The Magic, The Particles?

How do you explain how the team keeps coming back, there being such magic in the air, particles?

Tell me sports aren’t important. They are. We all know they are.

Speaking of “Pep Talks” … They’re not easy.

They have gotten bigger perhaps because of football and TV. But in baseball you have been at it for 162+ games, working together for eight months, and how to keep everyone’s attention? Do they really need to be motivated at this point? Maybe a meeting to come together and relax?

It’s an art. Boch does it as well as anybody I have ever seen. Whatever Boch does, it’s always very good. Hunter Pence? The players encourage Hunter to speak. It’s motivating. It’s not boring… that’s for sure. It might take some needling from his teammates, like Buster, for example, ‘Come on, come on, we need you to do this.’

Buster Posey, What Can You Say About Buster?

He’s truly amazing. I felt when he came up, he was young and great from the start. He replaced Bengie Molina, which was huge, because Bengie was very popular. There was room for only one regular catcher. Buster, along with Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Madison Bumgarner, formed quite a core of young starters … and Buster brought a kind of energy and confidence that inspired everyone around him. Our relievers have been a constant.

They have all stayed intact all these five years and have been stellar, working so very well together with Buster.

Since Buster arrived, he always sits next to me on the bench and he vents. He says, ‘If I can’t vent to you, there’s no one else I can vent to’. Our relationship is solid … as it is with everyone here.

There’s a rhythm. There has to be a rhythm, if you’re going to do this over and over and over again.

If we can stay healthy, we have that rhythm.

Are You As Excited As Ever?

Yes. Quite honestly, I feel we can do this again, that we’re on a good run. I hope so. We all do.

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

From Theatre To Zoos To Beaches

By Rich Borell CEO & Founder Bay Area Mags

well as an impressive collection of

One of our favorite stops for drinks

fine wines and craft beers. Seasonal

is Dicks Last Resort. The food there

cocktails curated by Chef de Bar Cory

is reasonably priced with above av-

Alberto are each hand crafted with

erage portions. We all know there’s al-

meticulous attention to taste and pre-

ways a reason to party at Dicks!

sentation.

Of course San Diego has some beautiful Hello Everyone,

Gaslamp Quarter:

beaches likes Coronado, La Jolla and Mission Bay.

Recently my wife and I took a long weekend trip to San Di-

Built by Ulysses S. Grant Jr. in honor of his father, the 18th

When it comes to dining, shopping and

ego, because a road trip sounded fun.

President of the United States, THE US GRANT bears distinc-

some fun, a visit to the Gaslamp Quarter Some of the sites I suggest include:

tion as a treasured National Landmark captivating world Some of the city’s most popular attractions are the muse-

travelers and hosting the city’s premier events since 1910.

• San Diego Zoo: I’d suggest a couple of days Locat-

ums, gardens, and Spanish colonial style architecture found

The hotel’s rich history includes operating a Speakeasy

ed in Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo is one of the largest

in Balboa Park, the world famous

during Prohibition to welcoming

and most famous zoos in the United States.

San Diego Zoo, and the Midway

14 U.S. Presidents, including a fire-

• SeaWorld: located along the waterfront in Mission Bay …

Aircraft Carrier Museum. For a little

side chat by President Franklin Del-

among the highlights are the myriad of shows featuring kill-

history and shopping, visitors can

ano Roosevelt.

er whales, sea lions, dolphins, and other sea life.

• Balboa Park: A great fun place for the family. Balboa Park

stroll the streets of Old Town San

is over a 1400 acre site with historical buildings, numerous

Diego State Historic Park or wander

I love that the modern updates

through the Gaslamp Quarter. San

were appropriate for the time peri-

is a must. The Gaslamp Quarter is a district made up of 16

museums, gardens, and green space.

Diego also has more than 68 miles

od of the hotel.

blocks in a historical neighborhood. If it’s night life you’re

• USS Midway Museum: The museum is an actual Aircraft

looking for … look no further. The district is loaded with

Carrier that includes over 60 exhibits and 25 restored air-

Named one of the “Best Hotel Bars”

night life venues, festivals, including Mardi Gras and at the

craft.

We decided to stay at the US Grant a Luxury Collection Ho-

in the Nation by Food & Wine, The Grant Grill Lounge offers

end of the block you will find Petco Park home of the San

San Diego, a perfect blend of attractions, tourism, awesome

tel. When you stay at the US Grant you will feel like you’re

a unique Gaslamp Quarter experience, equally tantalizing

Diego Padres.

restaurants, blue skies and lots of fun for any age!

staying at the Four Seasons. A National icon since 1910, is

for late-night revelry or mid-day happy hour. With Mixolo-

situated in the city’s lively and historic downtown Gaslamp

gist, Sommelier and Cicerone Jeff Jesenhans at the helm of

The area is loaded with great restaurants like the Bandar

Quarter, just steps from top shopping, dining, and enter-

the beverage offerings, signature drinks include US GRANT

Restaurant and elegant Persian Restaurant, Rei Do Gado a

tainment, and a short drive from the destination’s world-re-

exclusives like the 100 Day Barrel Aged Centennial Manhat-

Brazilian Steakhouse and Seafood Restaurant that features

nowned beaches, museums and family attractions.

tan and Silver Medal award-winning Genepi Americana, as

a gluten free menu.

of beaches in and around the city.

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

From Theatre To Zoos To Beaches

By Rich Borell CEO & Founder Bay Area Mags

well as an impressive collection of

One of our favorite stops for drinks

fine wines and craft beers. Seasonal

is Dicks Last Resort. The food there

cocktails curated by Chef de Bar Cory

is reasonably priced with above av-

Alberto are each hand crafted with

erage portions. We all know there’s al-

meticulous attention to taste and pre-

ways a reason to party at Dicks!

sentation.

Of course San Diego has some beautiful Hello Everyone,

Gaslamp Quarter:

beaches likes Coronado, La Jolla and Mission Bay.

Recently my wife and I took a long weekend trip to San Di-

Built by Ulysses S. Grant Jr. in honor of his father, the 18th

When it comes to dining, shopping and

ego, because a road trip sounded fun.

President of the United States, THE US GRANT bears distinc-

some fun, a visit to the Gaslamp Quarter Some of the sites I suggest include:

tion as a treasured National Landmark captivating world Some of the city’s most popular attractions are the muse-

travelers and hosting the city’s premier events since 1910.

• San Diego Zoo: I’d suggest a couple of days Locat-

ums, gardens, and Spanish colonial style architecture found

The hotel’s rich history includes operating a Speakeasy

ed in Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo is one of the largest

in Balboa Park, the world famous

during Prohibition to welcoming

and most famous zoos in the United States.

San Diego Zoo, and the Midway

14 U.S. Presidents, including a fire-

• SeaWorld: located along the waterfront in Mission Bay …

Aircraft Carrier Museum. For a little

side chat by President Franklin Del-

among the highlights are the myriad of shows featuring kill-

history and shopping, visitors can

ano Roosevelt.

er whales, sea lions, dolphins, and other sea life.

• Balboa Park: A great fun place for the family. Balboa Park

stroll the streets of Old Town San

is over a 1400 acre site with historical buildings, numerous

Diego State Historic Park or wander

I love that the modern updates

through the Gaslamp Quarter. San

were appropriate for the time peri-

is a must. The Gaslamp Quarter is a district made up of 16

museums, gardens, and green space.

Diego also has more than 68 miles

od of the hotel.

blocks in a historical neighborhood. If it’s night life you’re

• USS Midway Museum: The museum is an actual Aircraft

looking for … look no further. The district is loaded with

Carrier that includes over 60 exhibits and 25 restored air-

Named one of the “Best Hotel Bars”

night life venues, festivals, including Mardi Gras and at the

craft.

We decided to stay at the US Grant a Luxury Collection Ho-

in the Nation by Food & Wine, The Grant Grill Lounge offers

end of the block you will find Petco Park home of the San

San Diego, a perfect blend of attractions, tourism, awesome

tel. When you stay at the US Grant you will feel like you’re

a unique Gaslamp Quarter experience, equally tantalizing

Diego Padres.

restaurants, blue skies and lots of fun for any age!

staying at the Four Seasons. A National icon since 1910, is

for late-night revelry or mid-day happy hour. With Mixolo-

situated in the city’s lively and historic downtown Gaslamp

gist, Sommelier and Cicerone Jeff Jesenhans at the helm of

The area is loaded with great restaurants like the Bandar

Quarter, just steps from top shopping, dining, and enter-

the beverage offerings, signature drinks include US GRANT

Restaurant and elegant Persian Restaurant, Rei Do Gado a

tainment, and a short drive from the destination’s world-re-

exclusives like the 100 Day Barrel Aged Centennial Manhat-

Brazilian Steakhouse and Seafood Restaurant that features

nowned beaches, museums and family attractions.

tan and Silver Medal award-winning Genepi Americana, as

a gluten free menu.

of beaches in and around the city.

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

there, the line was very, very long. It’s a big tourist spot. We moved on with our original plan to spend the day in Pioneer Square which was Seattle’s first downtown. You will see an area with character - lots of nineteenth century brick and stone buildings. You won’t find a shortage of things to keep you busy in this bustling district.

A visit to the Emerald City

By Rich Borell

About a month ago, my wife and I were thinking about a long August weekend. We’d already done an awesome road trip to South Dakota/Montana, so we thought this time we would maybe take a short flight. It didn’t take long for us to agree that we needed to go back to one of our favorite cities in the Northwest, Seattle Washington.

Thursday: Our flight from San Jose was a bit delayed, but we were still able to arrive in Seattle around 2PM. The only problem, was that with the flight delay we had to miss afternoon tea at the Fairmont – But no worries, we just did it another day.

We stayed at the beautiful Fairmont Olympic Hotel. It is a historic landmark and site of the original University of Washington.

After checking in we strolled down for a late lunch at the Crab Pot located along the waterfront. After lunch we walked along Pioneer Square and did some shopping.

In the evening, we attended a really cool dinner event. It’s a cirque comedy cabaret called Teatro Zinzanni. Along with a multicourse meal this is one of the most entertaining performances you will ever see. Everyone- including the wait-staff and audience are a part of the show. The price per-person can range anywhere from $99 to $174 and additions can be purchased the night of the show. . They also have a really great gift shop and old time bar. It was fun and well worth the price.

Friday: On Friday, I wanted to start my day at the very first Starbucks that opened in 1971 on Pike Street, but when we got

Most of the tourist attractions are within walking distance, so we walked to the Space Needle for dinner. The SkyCity Restaurant is located at the top of the Space Needle. If you ever want to dine there (and I do recommend you do) be sure to make prior reservations … they start taking them 3 months prior to your date. We had an awesome table, great service and excellent food. The restaurant rotates so you get excellent views of the city, waterways, landmarks and Mount Rainier. I had the wild salmon and my wife savored in the Prime Tenderloin. Thanks to Chef Jeff Maxfiled for a splendid dinner.

Saturday: Some of our highlights today included the famous Underground Tour. There’s a few different versions and since we hadn’t been in a while, we chose the history tour. Our guide was a very passionate and extremely detailed story teller. It was great walking the underground streets hearing stories of the past underground city.

We then walked back to our hotel and attended afternoon tea. This is one of my wife’s favorite things to do and I figured - if she was going to sit through a Mariners game with me on Sunday – that I’d have tea with her.

Well, what’s a trip to Seattle if you don’t ride the Duck Tour?

This is a combo land and water tour. Most likely your Captain will have a silly sense of humor and everyone on board will be blowing their quacker for the next 90 minutes. Highly recommended!

For dinner we went back to the waterfront to Ivar’s and had another great Wild Salmon dinner.

Sunday: Today we enjoyed a leisurely morning then went for a nice long walk to SAFECO Field to watch the Mariners take on the Chicago White Sox. It’s a pretty awesome stadium … the home team crowd was very pleased as the Mariners made a great comeback to win the game.

While walking back to our hotel, we remembered a great looking restaurant around the corner from the Fairmont called The Brooklyn Seafood Steak & Oyster House. They had availability and so we had another great dinner.

Next thing we knew – it was Monday and we had to go home. We had a great long weekend trip and love Seattle.

If you’re looking for a quick getaway, check out the Emerald City … it’s only a 2 hour flight from the bay area.

Cheers

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

there, the line was very, very long. It’s a big tourist spot. We moved on with our original plan to spend the day in Pioneer Square which was Seattle’s first downtown. You will see an area with character - lots of nineteenth century brick and stone buildings. You won’t find a shortage of things to keep you busy in this bustling district.

A visit to the Emerald City

By Rich Borell

About a month ago, my wife and I were thinking about a long August weekend. We’d already done an awesome road trip to South Dakota/Montana, so we thought this time we would maybe take a short flight. It didn’t take long for us to agree that we needed to go back to one of our favorite cities in the Northwest, Seattle Washington.

Thursday: Our flight from San Jose was a bit delayed, but we were still able to arrive in Seattle around 2PM. The only problem, was that with the flight delay we had to miss afternoon tea at the Fairmont – But no worries, we just did it another day.

We stayed at the beautiful Fairmont Olympic Hotel. It is a historic landmark and site of the original University of Washington.

After checking in we strolled down for a late lunch at the Crab Pot located along the waterfront. After lunch we walked along Pioneer Square and did some shopping.

In the evening, we attended a really cool dinner event. It’s a cirque comedy cabaret called Teatro Zinzanni. Along with a multicourse meal this is one of the most entertaining performances you will ever see. Everyone- including the wait-staff and audience are a part of the show. The price per-person can range anywhere from $99 to $174 and additions can be purchased the night of the show. . They also have a really great gift shop and old time bar. It was fun and well worth the price.

Friday: On Friday, I wanted to start my day at the very first Starbucks that opened in 1971 on Pike Street, but when we got

Most of the tourist attractions are within walking distance, so we walked to the Space Needle for dinner. The SkyCity Restaurant is located at the top of the Space Needle. If you ever want to dine there (and I do recommend you do) be sure to make prior reservations … they start taking them 3 months prior to your date. We had an awesome table, great service and excellent food. The restaurant rotates so you get excellent views of the city, waterways, landmarks and Mount Rainier. I had the wild salmon and my wife savored in the Prime Tenderloin. Thanks to Chef Jeff Maxfiled for a splendid dinner.

Saturday: Some of our highlights today included the famous Underground Tour. There’s a few different versions and since we hadn’t been in a while, we chose the history tour. Our guide was a very passionate and extremely detailed story teller. It was great walking the underground streets hearing stories of the past underground city.

We then walked back to our hotel and attended afternoon tea. This is one of my wife’s favorite things to do and I figured - if she was going to sit through a Mariners game with me on Sunday – that I’d have tea with her.

Well, what’s a trip to Seattle if you don’t ride the Duck Tour?

This is a combo land and water tour. Most likely your Captain will have a silly sense of humor and everyone on board will be blowing their quacker for the next 90 minutes. Highly recommended!

For dinner we went back to the waterfront to Ivar’s and had another great Wild Salmon dinner.

Sunday: Today we enjoyed a leisurely morning then went for a nice long walk to SAFECO Field to watch the Mariners take on the Chicago White Sox. It’s a pretty awesome stadium … the home team crowd was very pleased as the Mariners made a great comeback to win the game.

While walking back to our hotel, we remembered a great looking restaurant around the corner from the Fairmont called The Brooklyn Seafood Steak & Oyster House. They had availability and so we had another great dinner.

Next thing we knew – it was Monday and we had to go home. We had a great long weekend trip and love Seattle.

If you’re looking for a quick getaway, check out the Emerald City … it’s only a 2 hour flight from the bay area.

Cheers

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

The Presidio: It’s What’s Going On!

F

By Rich Borell

or many of us, the Presidio of San Francisco may only be 10-40 miles down the road.

Perhaps you drive through it from Lombard to get over the GG Bridge. However, ever since the Inn at the Presidio opened a few years back, my wife and I have spent a few weekends each year staying at this historic hotel … right in the middle of the Presidio of San Francisco.

This former military base has so much to offer - from its many hiking trails to enjoying the open space with your pet. This vast land has over 1,400 total acres and just under 1,000 acres of open space. If you’re looking for something to fill a day … or a weekend … or more, this vast open land sure has plenty to offer.

For you history buffs, you can check out over 400 historic buildings. A good place to start is the Presidio Officer’s Club. There, you will get a good

taste of history through multi-media exhibits.

One of our favorite pastimes is to hop on the PresidiGo Shuttle. One thing we really enjoy is seeing, and experiencing, the Presidio on foot.

Each time we stay, we explore a different route … our favorite is going down to Crissy Field – and observing the spectacular views of the bridge. You can feel free to get off the shuttle anytime, as it has 40 stops.

No matter what one’s age, one activity

WEEKEND GETAWAYS everyone would want to catch is The Walt Disney Family Museum. At the Disney Museum you will capture the true history and timeline of Walt Disney’s life and the Disney enterprise. I would suggest allowing at least four hours for this selfguided tour, as well as your hands-on experience with exhibits and taking in all the original artwork that’s there.

Wish you could stay here? Well, you can. You can keep the car parked and stay at the Inn at the Presidio. This Georgian Revival-style hotel, built in the early 1900’s, was once home for bachelor officers when the Presidio was a U.S. Army post.

Now you can stay here at this historic landmark.

When we stay, we always put a request in for a room on the third floor. From here you get incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge, also the fog rolling in and, on clear days, you can see many sailboats.

Each room is extremely spacious, offering Wi-Fi, flat panel screens and mini-fridges. For a bit more, I would suggest getting a suite on the third floor. This has a large sitting area and a gas fireplace.

The hotel offers an evening wine and cheese reception … usually there’s live music, as well. Or you can stroll outside with your wine and kick back on their outdoor deck that features a large fire pit with cozy rocking chairs. It’s truly delightful.

You’re also within walking distance to some nice restaurants on base. Recently opened is The Commissary, a new restaurant by the awardThe Inn at the Presidio

winning chef, Traci Des Jardins, featuring Spanishinfluenced California cuisine.

One of our favorite places to eat is the Presidio Social Club – which once was the home of the ex-military barracks. Inside the Presidio Officer’s Club, you can try out Arguello. This restaurant offers Mexican food with a contemporary bar.

If you still have a little time on your hands, there’s plenty more to do in the Presidio, such as: A beautiful stroll along Baker’s Beach … perhaps a round of golf at the Presidio Golf Course with its enchanted forest setting … and, yes, there’s even a bowling alley.

And think you might miss that latte or cappuccino at Starbucks? Not to worry, they have one of those, too.

People would love coming from all corners of the world to experience this, and do. A far away distant world that’s literally just a few minutes away. There’s the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow … for us, this is a gem at the foot of the Golden Gate.

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

town Palm Springs. The views and grounds are awesome of the Golf Resort, they have a large pool with two hot tubs. We were also able to enjoy a little tennis.

We had an early dinner reservation so we didn’t get too much activity in today. We did walk downtown and strolled the Palm Springs Walk of Stars … I heard that there are over 400 stars! Interesting and delightful to see and experience.

Palm Springs – Fun In The Desert Sun!

L

By Rich Borell

ooking to relax? Perhaps a nice getaway and some sun, some fun, some R&R? How about a nice quiet desert resort? Sounded great to us. Just 100 miles east of Los Angeles was our recent long weekend getaway destination … Palm Springs.

For this weekend destination we decided to do a road trip. Our journey started out early Friday morning with a quick cup for the road from Starbucks.

Along with its gift shop and Beef & Bakery store, it’s the best service along I-5 you can encounter.

Our first stop along the way was breakfast at the Harris Ranch, located in Coalinga, about two hours from Silicon Valley. If you’re traveling along Interstate 5, you may know the Harris Ranch is a welcome oasis for travelers.

After stopping off at a few rest stops to stretch a bit, our next encounter was going to be lunch. As we we’re driving, we saw a sign for a restaurant I didn’t even know still existed, so we pulled over and had lunch at Bob’s Big Boy... Yes, it was great to see them still around.

There are many amenities at this fine establishment including comfortable lodging, some of the best steaks you will ever enjoy, along with a café for that quick bite.

We arrived in the Palm Springs area around 2PM. Our stay for the next few nights was at the Desert Princess Inn. This Golf Resort is located about five miles from down-

If you’re in the Palm Springs area, then the Purple Room Restaurant & Stage is a must for dinner and a show. It all started in 1960 … The still popular venue is considered to be one of Palm Springs “Original“ Rat Pack Hangouts ... where Frank Sinatra would bring friends to Eat, Drink and Play.

Saturday morning we were up early to meet our group for the Desert Adventure Tour. This is an open Jeep tour that takes you along the San Andreas Fault. The tour was great and very informative.

You can experience the landscape of an active fault, walk between the steep canyon walls – we actually we’re able to have one foot on each of the two major plates in California. The tour took us through a natural Palm oasis. We also learned about the culture and lifestyle of the Cahuilla Indians and how they used the desert’s plants for food, medicine, tools, weapons, shelter and more.

Our tour was about three hours. We had lunch planned at the Peaks Restaurant, located on top of the San Jacinto Mountain, over 8,500 feet up. The aerial tram will take you up the mountain. The gondola floor rotates while ascending and descending so that everyone sees everything. Yes, this is a “must” if you’re in the Palm Springs area.

Ticket prices are reasonable if you only want to take the ride up for photos and get some great hiking in. There are a couple of cool trails anyone can enjoy, and also a couple of cafés that offer a different price range, being considerate of people’s budgets.

If you’re looking for entertainment in the evenings there certainly is no limit as to what’s available. You will find several high end Indian Casino Resorts close by. To fill our evening, we took in a few shows. At the Morongo Casino, we saw the very talented comedian, Lilly Tomlin. Saturday night at the Fantasy Springs Resort, we saw the very talented singer, Marie Osmond.

With many points of interest, the World’s largest rotating Aerial Tramcars, over 130 Hotels & Resorts, over 100 Restaurants and sunny days practically every day of the year … If you’re looking for a nice relaxing and fun getaway, plan on enjoying a nice weekend in sunny Palm Springs. We sure did.

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

town Palm Springs. The views and grounds are awesome of the Golf Resort, they have a large pool with two hot tubs. We were also able to enjoy a little tennis.

We had an early dinner reservation so we didn’t get too much activity in today. We did walk downtown and strolled the Palm Springs Walk of Stars … I heard that there are over 400 stars! Interesting and delightful to see and experience.

Palm Springs – Fun In The Desert Sun!

L

By Rich Borell

ooking to relax? Perhaps a nice getaway and some sun, some fun, some R&R? How about a nice quiet desert resort? Sounded great to us. Just 100 miles east of Los Angeles was our recent long weekend getaway destination … Palm Springs.

For this weekend destination we decided to do a road trip. Our journey started out early Friday morning with a quick cup for the road from Starbucks.

Along with its gift shop and Beef & Bakery store, it’s the best service along I-5 you can encounter.

Our first stop along the way was breakfast at the Harris Ranch, located in Coalinga, about two hours from Silicon Valley. If you’re traveling along Interstate 5, you may know the Harris Ranch is a welcome oasis for travelers.

After stopping off at a few rest stops to stretch a bit, our next encounter was going to be lunch. As we we’re driving, we saw a sign for a restaurant I didn’t even know still existed, so we pulled over and had lunch at Bob’s Big Boy... Yes, it was great to see them still around.

There are many amenities at this fine establishment including comfortable lodging, some of the best steaks you will ever enjoy, along with a café for that quick bite.

We arrived in the Palm Springs area around 2PM. Our stay for the next few nights was at the Desert Princess Inn. This Golf Resort is located about five miles from down-

If you’re in the Palm Springs area, then the Purple Room Restaurant & Stage is a must for dinner and a show. It all started in 1960 … The still popular venue is considered to be one of Palm Springs “Original“ Rat Pack Hangouts ... where Frank Sinatra would bring friends to Eat, Drink and Play.

Saturday morning we were up early to meet our group for the Desert Adventure Tour. This is an open Jeep tour that takes you along the San Andreas Fault. The tour was great and very informative.

You can experience the landscape of an active fault, walk between the steep canyon walls – we actually we’re able to have one foot on each of the two major plates in California. The tour took us through a natural Palm oasis. We also learned about the culture and lifestyle of the Cahuilla Indians and how they used the desert’s plants for food, medicine, tools, weapons, shelter and more.

Our tour was about three hours. We had lunch planned at the Peaks Restaurant, located on top of the San Jacinto Mountain, over 8,500 feet up. The aerial tram will take you up the mountain. The gondola floor rotates while ascending and descending so that everyone sees everything. Yes, this is a “must” if you’re in the Palm Springs area.

Ticket prices are reasonable if you only want to take the ride up for photos and get some great hiking in. There are a couple of cool trails anyone can enjoy, and also a couple of cafés that offer a different price range, being considerate of people’s budgets.

If you’re looking for entertainment in the evenings there certainly is no limit as to what’s available. You will find several high end Indian Casino Resorts close by. To fill our evening, we took in a few shows. At the Morongo Casino, we saw the very talented comedian, Lilly Tomlin. Saturday night at the Fantasy Springs Resort, we saw the very talented singer, Marie Osmond.

With many points of interest, the World’s largest rotating Aerial Tramcars, over 130 Hotels & Resorts, over 100 Restaurants and sunny days practically every day of the year … If you’re looking for a nice relaxing and fun getaway, plan on enjoying a nice weekend in sunny Palm Springs. We sure did.

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

A MEMORABLE WEEKEND TRIP TO JAMESTOWN AND YOSEMITE

By Rich Borell

Hello Everyone, I want to share with you a recent long weekend getaway my wife and I took. This road trip took us to the Gold Country, where we enjoyed fascinating historic Jamestown and the most breathtaking views of Yosemite National Park.

Our trip started out Friday around noon to beat the Bay Area getaway crowd. We had accommodations for Friday evening, just outside of Jamestown, at the Jackson

Rancheria Hotel & Casino. We really want to extend a warm thank you for a great room.

While driving up to Jackson, my wife always wanted to visit Daffodil Hill located in Volcano, CA, a few miles outside of Jackson. It’s the perfect time of year since all the daffodils are in full bloom. If you’re in the area traveling, this is a great place to get out and stretch and walk through the gorgeous gardens. You will see some rather loud and colorful peacocks, too, as you walk along the path.

WEEKEND GETAWAYS Daffodil Hill is open only in the spring, usually from the end of March through the first three weeks of April … best of all, admission and parking are free.

From there, we drove to the hotel to settle in for the evening, grab a bite; yes, pay our dues on the casino floor; and, of course, do some shopping in the gift shop.

Our Saturday morning started out with a quick bite in the café, and then it was on to the Gold Country. Our first stop was Angels Camp, also known as the City of Angels.

The story goes that Mark Twain based one of his short stories, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”, from a story he had heard here in 1865.

Thus, a great reason to celebrate every year with the jumping Frog Jubilee each May at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds. Some say that Angels Camp other name is “Frog Town” – now you know why!

Angels Camp is a very historic town …

I’d suggest definitely stopping by the Angels Camp Museum to get the scoop on the town.

The hours are Thursday – Monday from 10AM – 4PM. From Angels Camp we drove to Jamestown.

This amazing town is filled with many historic homes and buildings near Main Street. The first gold here was discovered by Benjamin Wood, who had come from Oregon. The

crossing and also Woods Creek, which runs through Sonora and Jamestown, were named in honor of him. This was in the early summer of 1848; just a few months before, the famous gold discovery took place at Sutter’s Mill about 100 miles north, which started the Gold Rush. Jamestown is the home of the Railtown 1897 State Historic Park; and for you TV buffs, the TV shows, “The Wild Wild West” and “Green Acres”, were filmed in and near Jamestown.

If you visit the Gold Country, I’d definitely make time to visit Jamestown, park your car, step back in time and walk the street. I’d suggest dining at the Willow Steak House (established 1864), where the builders of the Sierra Railway once hung out in the bar. If you decide to stay in Jamestown, there are several historic hotels, including the Royal Carriage Inn, the National Hotel and the Jamestown Hotel.

After our stop in Jamestown, we continued for another hour’s drive to Yosemite National Park. There are several choices for lodging.

We decided to stay at the Yosemite Westgate Lodge. Normally, you would want to spend 3-4 days in the park; however, we didn’t have that much time. We did work in some of the most famous areas like Half Dome which is Yosemite’s most familiar rock formation. A “must” is getting a view from the viewpoint at Valley View; there, visitors can take in Yosemite Valley in its entirety. Clearly visible are the original lines formed by the glacier which carved out the valley. Of course, there’s Bridalveil Fall. It’s just a short hike on a paved trail and you’re right up to the front of the waterfall.

Another “must” is El Capitan – a giant granite rock that stands more than 3,000 feet from the base... a great thrill, I’m sure, for the rock climbers of the world.

The beauty of Yosemite is astonishing, whether you have a day or a week. One visit and you’ll gladly want to come back again and again!

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

WHAT HAPPENS IN

By Rich Borell

Hello Everyone, When we think about weekend getaways from the Bay Area, we may consider Monterey, Santa Cruz, Napa, Lake Tahoe … Ever think about parking the car and flying to Vegas?

That’s exactly what my wife and I did recently.

Our last trip there was very memorable since we spent New Year’s Eve celebrating with hundreds of thousands of people on the Las Vegas strip. This time we thought how fun to have a long weekend getaway there.

Our trip started out on a Friday late-morning flight via Virgin America out of SFO. Once we landed, you can feel the party starting … Indeed, this city radiates so much energy. Cab fares are posted so you will have an idea of what to pay.

With gratuity you can figure on $20, or a little more, for the fare.

Our stay was at Harrah’s Resort Hotel. They were very nice to work with, and we would like to thank them for the suite upgrade they gave us. We were early (about 3PM); yet, our room was ready and we could drop off our luggage.

We had a few hours before our 5:15PM dinner at The Strip Steakhouse located inside the Planet Hollywood. Dinner was early since my wife wanted to get some shopping time in at the Hard Rock Café prior to seeing the Kiss Concert at 8PM. For our short time before dinner, we strolled the mall next door to Planet Hollywood. The Strip Steakhouse is a chain; however, it’s a great place to eat with excellent service. I don’t usually eat red meat; however, tonight I had the urge to have a nice Rib Eye Steak. My wife had the Filet along with her two favorites, Lobster and Crab. If you have time for a long dinner, with the urge to

WEEKEND GETAWAYS be catered to, then this is the place to come. We also had the opportunity during dinner to chat with their Operations Manager and want to send a thank you to her. BTW, if you enjoy Ports, you may want to cruise their exclusive selection.

As I mentioned, the Kiss concert was at the Hard Rock Café - the band featured two of its original cast, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley – and they played to a delighted full house. If you have a chance to see them, they put on a great show.

On Saturday, we prepared a list of fun things we could choose from; however, since the weather was a sunny 70 degrees, we opted for a nice walk instead. Some suggestions of interest during the day might include: *An all-day visit to Area 51 *There are four thrill rides at the top of the Stratosphere Tower *At the New York New York you can hop on a 67 MPH rollercoaster *Drive a race car at Exotics Racing at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway *Crime Solving at MGM’s Grand CSI – The Experience We spent some time at the Mirage at Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, which defines wildness in a whole new way. You can also catch a glimpse of several white Tigers and

Lions along with the Dolphin Habitat. The shows were awesome!

Saturday, night we had two shows on tap, first, was a Murder Mystery Dinner put on by Marriage Can Be Murder. It was a great show and dinner was delicious. The cast of characters did a great job in getting the audience involved.

Our main show was at 10PM, at the Mirage, to see Ray Romano from the very popular TV Show, Everybody Loves Raymond. Kevin James opened the show, getting the audience involved, and was hilarious. Of course, Ray Ramano was himself, and everybody was in stiches. I’ve seen some great comedians, and I would put Ray high on my list as one of my favorites next to Jerry Seinfeld.

When he was closing the show and about to say good night, he said I have one more thing for you … He brought out Adam Sandler to sing a few songs. The lyrics we’re hilarious, so you guessed it, not your typical song to sing along to. After Adam played, Ray and Kevin came back out and, together, they did a Q&A with the audience. We also got to meet Ray’s twin sons, sitting near us in the audience.

So if you’re looking for a weekend getaway, and don’t want to drive, check out sin city! Yes, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas … except for the great experience of it all and good memories.

Our

Private Cooking Lesson With Alex Tishman

Regional Head Chef, Big City Chefs

Perhaps you like to cook.

For my wife and I, cooking is the last thing we would ever want to do. Our feeling has been, if you want to eat good food, someone else needs to cook it- Boy was I wrong!

By Rich Borell, Founder & CEO of Bay Area Mags LLC

N

ow, you’re probably thinking I must eat a lot of junk food and be extremely overweight. Thankfully, I don’t indulge in junk food and I enjoy exercise - be it playing tennis or using my home gym. Still, it’s hard to believe I weigh 149 based on how I eat.

For us, and as it is for many, cooking can be frustrating. You spend good money on ingredients. You invest time and effort to put a dish together, and the end result just isn’t as good as you thought, or hoped, it would be.

Eating healthy can be a challenge. We have busy lives and are on the go all the time, so we don’t always set aside the time to prepare a healthy, flavorful meal.

That being said, we decided to bring Regional Head Chef Alex Tishman from Big City Chefs into our home for a Sunday afternoon and teach us how to prepare a couple of delicious meals. While this sounds very exciting, my first question to my wife, when she suggested we should have a private cooking lesson, was: “We’re spending how much to do what?”

Boy, was I wrong. If only I knew before what I know now … So, let’s get started.

Our planned menu was based on what we wanted to learn along with some valuable suggestions from Chef Alex. He came up with the following: • Hanger Steak with mushrooms pan jus • Chicken (one whole, which we will butcher and then cook the different cuts) • Salad with English peas, shaved carrots and radishes, and simple shallot mustard vinaigrette.

Preparing for Chef Alex was pretty painless. He requested that we take a few pictures of our cooking utensils, and simply make our kitchen counters, along with some space in the refrigerator, available to him.

Once Chef Alex arrived, we kicked back and let him get things rolling. It was awesome that the price included the shopping of food and other needed ingredients. He sure saved us a lot of time and frustration.

From the start, with his vivacious personality, you feel as if you’ve known him all your life. We knew right away we were in for a fun day of cooking, right in our very own kitchen.

Chef Alex came so well prepared with a delightful customized class for us. He fully understood our busy schedules and our desire to create some great food from our own kitchen. He would teach us what we would like and not what we wouldn’t like.

As we started, his friendly, informal teaching style put us at ease.

We immediately felt comfortable that we’ll be able to reproduce the same fantastic results later on.

As the class went on, Chef Alex engaged us in the preparation of the entrées and salad. Most importantly, we learned tips on how to do all those little touches that make a big difference in flavor, texture and presentation; like, how to make carrots attractive and crunchy in your salad.

Some of the items we went over during the three hour private-class included: • Proper cooking techniques along with presentation • A big concern of ours … timing of the entrée and side dishes • Some good tips on safety … those knives are very sharp – especially the “Mandoline” (a dangerous but highly efficient instrument) • We learned some tips on nutrition and other health information, including good answers to questions we had about Fish As time went on, we tested some of the Chicken, Hanger Steak, Mushrooms and sauce that we prepared. Delicious.

We were amazed also how good our kitchen could smell. Next, our jaws we’re dropping - we couldn’t wait to dive in and reap the rewards of the last three hours.

As the end of the class came, and my wife and I had just about finished everything we had cooked, Chef Alex had tidied everything up.

Our kitchen was left squeaky clean. It was all a wonderful experience.

In sum, indeed, for many people, cooking can be frustrating. We spend good money on ingredients. We invest time and effort to put a dish together, and the end result just isn’t as good as we thought, or hoped, it would be.

What we learned and experienced is, with a little help and guidance, we all can create successful dishes packed with flavor and nutrition that are a joy to create. I encourage you to treat yourself and invite Chef Alex Tishman of Big City Chefs into your home, as we did. You will learn to have fun in your own kitchen and cook some great meals.

Bon appetit!

Our

Private Cooking Lesson With Alex Tishman

Regional Head Chef, Big City Chefs

Perhaps you like to cook.

For my wife and I, cooking is the last thing we would ever want to do. Our feeling has been, if you want to eat good food, someone else needs to cook it- Boy was I wrong!

By Rich Borell, Founder & CEO of Bay Area Mags LLC

N

ow, you’re probably thinking I must eat a lot of junk food and be extremely overweight. Thankfully, I don’t indulge in junk food and I enjoy exercise - be it playing tennis or using my home gym. Still, it’s hard to believe I weigh 149 based on how I eat.

For us, and as it is for many, cooking can be frustrating. You spend good money on ingredients. You invest time and effort to put a dish together, and the end result just isn’t as good as you thought, or hoped, it would be.

Eating healthy can be a challenge. We have busy lives and are on the go all the time, so we don’t always set aside the time to prepare a healthy, flavorful meal.

That being said, we decided to bring Regional Head Chef Alex Tishman from Big City Chefs into our home for a Sunday afternoon and teach us how to prepare a couple of delicious meals. While this sounds very exciting, my first question to my wife, when she suggested we should have a private cooking lesson, was: “We’re spending how much to do what?”

Boy, was I wrong. If only I knew before what I know now … So, let’s get started.

Our planned menu was based on what we wanted to learn along with some valuable suggestions from Chef Alex. He came up with the following: • Hanger Steak with mushrooms pan jus • Chicken (one whole, which we will butcher and then cook the different cuts) • Salad with English peas, shaved carrots and radishes, and simple shallot mustard vinaigrette.

Preparing for Chef Alex was pretty painless. He requested that we take a few pictures of our cooking utensils, and simply make our kitchen counters, along with some space in the refrigerator, available to him.

Once Chef Alex arrived, we kicked back and let him get things rolling. It was awesome that the price included the shopping of food and other needed ingredients. He sure saved us a lot of time and frustration.

From the start, with his vivacious personality, you feel as if you’ve known him all your life. We knew right away we were in for a fun day of cooking, right in our very own kitchen.

Chef Alex came so well prepared with a delightful customized class for us. He fully understood our busy schedules and our desire to create some great food from our own kitchen. He would teach us what we would like and not what we wouldn’t like.

As we started, his friendly, informal teaching style put us at ease.

We immediately felt comfortable that we’ll be able to reproduce the same fantastic results later on.

As the class went on, Chef Alex engaged us in the preparation of the entrées and salad. Most importantly, we learned tips on how to do all those little touches that make a big difference in flavor, texture and presentation; like, how to make carrots attractive and crunchy in your salad.

Some of the items we went over during the three hour private-class included: • Proper cooking techniques along with presentation • A big concern of ours … timing of the entrée and side dishes • Some good tips on safety … those knives are very sharp – especially the “Mandoline” (a dangerous but highly efficient instrument) • We learned some tips on nutrition and other health information, including good answers to questions we had about Fish As time went on, we tested some of the Chicken, Hanger Steak, Mushrooms and sauce that we prepared. Delicious.

We were amazed also how good our kitchen could smell. Next, our jaws we’re dropping - we couldn’t wait to dive in and reap the rewards of the last three hours.

As the end of the class came, and my wife and I had just about finished everything we had cooked, Chef Alex had tidied everything up.

Our kitchen was left squeaky clean. It was all a wonderful experience.

In sum, indeed, for many people, cooking can be frustrating. We spend good money on ingredients. We invest time and effort to put a dish together, and the end result just isn’t as good as we thought, or hoped, it would be.

What we learned and experienced is, with a little help and guidance, we all can create successful dishes packed with flavor and nutrition that are a joy to create. I encourage you to treat yourself and invite Chef Alex Tishman of Big City Chefs into your home, as we did. You will learn to have fun in your own kitchen and cook some great meals.

Bon appetit!

Are Live Conversations Making a Comeback?

By Caroline Moriarity Sacks Director of INFORUM

I

n the technology capital of the world, San Franciscans know better than most about the latest messaging or communication apps. In a city turning conversations more virtual by the minute, a phenomenon is also developing: its citizens are wanting more interactions offline, with real people. At INFORUM, The Commonwealth Club’s Innovation Lab, we’re constantly seeing the benefits that come from live interactions.

While some may argue that social media, forums, podcasts or live video streams are just as useful as the real deal, you miss the events that aren’t captured by film or social media. These are the experiences that can only be seen or heard firsthand. Notice the facial expressions on the executives on stage? Or, the way a panelist lights up because he/she noticed their family in an audience?

These cues provide more color and context that can

add to a person’s individual experience.

Let’s not forget the benefits of making real human connections. Sometimes the best part of an event is simply hearing the commentary from attendees. Conversations that happen before and after a program is just as impactful, if not more rewarding. Plus, these conversations often open up doors to meeting new people who can become a connection in the future.

There’s also a difference between witnessing it online vs. in-person. Yes, we can listen to audio from a conversation between Marissa Mayer of Yahoo! and Marc Benioff of salesforce.com, but being there to laugh with the audience, feel the tension or witness history is something that you can always look back on. That experience is one of a kind.

There are more benefits and we encourage you to see for yourself at our next INFORUM event.

Check out our site for the next program; we hope to see you there: inforumsf.org

Salesforce Chairman and CEO Marc Benioff and Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer photo by Ed Ritger

GRATITUDE:

A POWERFUL ANTIDOTE TO ENTITLEMENT

By Carole Pertofsky, M.Ed. Director, Wellness and Health Promotion Services at Stanford University I was meeting up with friends in the latest hot restaurant in Palo Alto. As I walked towards my group, a very cool looking guy wearing a classy expensive black T-shirt leaned back in his chair and almost crashed into me as I squeezed between tables. He glared at me. And there, nestled just below his sculpted pecks, was the message, in bold Elephant Font: “You don’t get my respect. You have to earn it.”

There may be many interpretations. What might you think? Would you be attracted to his swagger? Turned off by the implied entitlement? Be curious about how this attitude plays out in his life? Wonder how this message impacts those around him?

I don’t know what goes through this guy’s mind when he awakens at 3 in the morning. But I know too many people of all ages who brand themselves with some display of entitlement, even arrogance. The attitude is fueled by media that offers top billing to those who display their entitlement and arrogance as strengths of character, even virtues. What is the impact on you, me, our kids looking for successful role models?

The truth is that on the surface, these people appear to be dominant, accomplished, on top of things. But trust me, it’s an illusion. Because deep down, they often experience isolation, emptiness and frustration. “Superiority” masks vulnerability. Recent studies indicate that this loss of empathy and connection to self and others is a growing concern among all ages.

Is there a way out of this trend towards displaying arrogance or entitlement as valor?

Consider the power of gratitude as an antidote to this deep well of discontent.

Gratitude isn’t just a soft filmy blur of appreciation. It takes gumption and courage to live with gratitude in a culture that rewards snarky digs and hostile irony. It takes grit to choose to live with thankfulness for what we have, rather than focusing on endless lists of what is missing. Gratefulness is a gold standard of deep happiness, positive emotion and good health.

Dr. Robert Emmons, UC Davis, leading researcher and author of “Thanks”, reminds us, “Gratitude can be as easy as a beautiful sunset, an exquisite bite of chocolate, a child, or the brilliance of autumn leaves. No matter what shape

or form gratitude takes, it fills us with a warmth and a reminder that life is good; this moment is special. Gratitude provides lessons to make us stronger. It is more than appreciation- it is a gift.”

Research suggests why the experience of gratitude is transformative and offers tremendous health benefits.

Thankfulness awakens our brain’s pleasure centers, and our bodies produce bio-chemicals that activate a strong and powerful sense of our potential, well-being and connection. Our bodies respond with vitality and a stronger immune system. We may be inspired to serve others, to contribute to the greater good.

Power up your gratitude muscle with a few simple actions.

Do these with your family. Do these with your friends.

Do them alone. Mix it up. If you practice just three times a week, you’ll begin noticing a stronger sense of ease, fun, and lightness. Best of all, these practices will spark new connections among your friends and family in fun heart-warming ways.

- Gratitext: Everyone takes out their cell phone or notepad. Each person imagines a particular person to whom you are grateful, maybe someone who helped you get where you are today. Send them a “gratitext” or a note, expressing your thoughts and feelings of gratitude to them for adding some benefit- or sparkle- to your life.

Notice the good feelings that arise when you send this note- and how you feel when they respond.

- Reach Out: Notice the many people who earn minimum wage performing a service that adds value to your day. Reach out, and thank them. Experience the gentle exchange of appreciation.

- 3 Good Things:. Begin a “gratitude” journal and several times a week, write down 3 good things that happened. Even if you aren’t feeling particularly grateful, no problem. Just take a deep breath, and give thanks for the simple things. Hot and cold running water. A daily meal.

The people who contribute to your comfort, whether or not you personally know them. Gratitude is a powerful antidote to entitlement, indifference, the “blahs”, and discontentment.

- -

- Just Like Me. Find a good place to “people watch”. Relax and just be aware of others, take a deep breath and bring to mind the following thought: “Just like me this person has faced struggles, suffering and disappointments, and just like me, this person wants to be content and happy.” Observe what gets stirred up in you or how this guided attention changes your emotional state.

Do you feel more empathy or perhaps appreciation for our shared humanity? Share your experience with each other.

- Soak in this awesome 5 minute video with your family and friends: Just watch and notice your thoughts and feelings. www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj2ofrX7jAk - Gratitude. Simple. Powerful. Transformative. It is an act of courage to express your thankfulness. Do stuff that opens your heart. Tell your friends and family how they contribute to your life. When you savor and appreciate the goodness in your life, the little things and the million dollar moments, no one will ever need to earn your respect. Gratitude itself is an act of deepest respect, freely given, for life itself.

GRATITUDE:

A POWERFUL ANTIDOTE TO ENTITLEMENT

By Carole Pertofsky, M.Ed. Director, Wellness and Health Promotion Services at Stanford University I was meeting up with friends in the latest hot restaurant in Palo Alto. As I walked towards my group, a very cool looking guy wearing a classy expensive black T-shirt leaned back in his chair and almost crashed into me as I squeezed between tables. He glared at me. And there, nestled just below his sculpted pecks, was the message, in bold Elephant Font: “You don’t get my respect. You have to earn it.”

There may be many interpretations. What might you think? Would you be attracted to his swagger? Turned off by the implied entitlement? Be curious about how this attitude plays out in his life? Wonder how this message impacts those around him?

I don’t know what goes through this guy’s mind when he awakens at 3 in the morning. But I know too many people of all ages who brand themselves with some display of entitlement, even arrogance. The attitude is fueled by media that offers top billing to those who display their entitlement and arrogance as strengths of character, even virtues. What is the impact on you, me, our kids looking for successful role models?

The truth is that on the surface, these people appear to be dominant, accomplished, on top of things. But trust me, it’s an illusion. Because deep down, they often experience isolation, emptiness and frustration. “Superiority” masks vulnerability. Recent studies indicate that this loss of empathy and connection to self and others is a growing concern among all ages.

Is there a way out of this trend towards displaying arrogance or entitlement as valor?

Consider the power of gratitude as an antidote to this deep well of discontent.

Gratitude isn’t just a soft filmy blur of appreciation. It takes gumption and courage to live with gratitude in a culture that rewards snarky digs and hostile irony. It takes grit to choose to live with thankfulness for what we have, rather than focusing on endless lists of what is missing. Gratefulness is a gold standard of deep happiness, positive emotion and good health.

Dr. Robert Emmons, UC Davis, leading researcher and author of “Thanks”, reminds us, “Gratitude can be as easy as a beautiful sunset, an exquisite bite of chocolate, a child, or the brilliance of autumn leaves. No matter what shape

or form gratitude takes, it fills us with a warmth and a reminder that life is good; this moment is special. Gratitude provides lessons to make us stronger. It is more than appreciation- it is a gift.”

Research suggests why the experience of gratitude is transformative and offers tremendous health benefits.

Thankfulness awakens our brain’s pleasure centers, and our bodies produce bio-chemicals that activate a strong and powerful sense of our potential, well-being and connection. Our bodies respond with vitality and a stronger immune system. We may be inspired to serve others, to contribute to the greater good.

Power up your gratitude muscle with a few simple actions.

Do these with your family. Do these with your friends.

Do them alone. Mix it up. If you practice just three times a week, you’ll begin noticing a stronger sense of ease, fun, and lightness. Best of all, these practices will spark new connections among your friends and family in fun heart-warming ways.

- Gratitext: Everyone takes out their cell phone or notepad. Each person imagines a particular person to whom you are grateful, maybe someone who helped you get where you are today. Send them a “gratitext” or a note, expressing your thoughts and feelings of gratitude to them for adding some benefit- or sparkle- to your life.

Notice the good feelings that arise when you send this note- and how you feel when they respond.

- Reach Out: Notice the many people who earn minimum wage performing a service that adds value to your day. Reach out, and thank them. Experience the gentle exchange of appreciation.

- 3 Good Things:. Begin a “gratitude” journal and several times a week, write down 3 good things that happened. Even if you aren’t feeling particularly grateful, no problem. Just take a deep breath, and give thanks for the simple things. Hot and cold running water. A daily meal.

The people who contribute to your comfort, whether or not you personally know them. Gratitude is a powerful antidote to entitlement, indifference, the “blahs”, and discontentment.

- -

- Just Like Me. Find a good place to “people watch”. Relax and just be aware of others, take a deep breath and bring to mind the following thought: “Just like me this person has faced struggles, suffering and disappointments, and just like me, this person wants to be content and happy.” Observe what gets stirred up in you or how this guided attention changes your emotional state.

Do you feel more empathy or perhaps appreciation for our shared humanity? Share your experience with each other.

- Soak in this awesome 5 minute video with your family and friends: Just watch and notice your thoughts and feelings. www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj2ofrX7jAk - Gratitude. Simple. Powerful. Transformative. It is an act of courage to express your thankfulness. Do stuff that opens your heart. Tell your friends and family how they contribute to your life. When you savor and appreciate the goodness in your life, the little things and the million dollar moments, no one will ever need to earn your respect. Gratitude itself is an act of deepest respect, freely given, for life itself.

TR TIP

WHERE TO STAY AND WHAT TO DO

RIP PS

O, SEE AND EAT ACROSS THE GLOBE

A Lone Star Christmas!

By Rich Borell

C E O

&

F o u n d e r

B a y

A r e a

M a g s

Santa’s sleigh.

Experience the Frostbite Factory – an interactive ice carving station.

A full nativity scene in stunning, crystal clear ice Finally your experience concludes with a specialty alcoholic drink at the ICE BAR. Hello Everyone, A few months back my wife suggested we kick the holiday season off by traveling to a festive place in the U.S. After checking our list twice (maybe more) we decided on the Christmas capital of Texas … Grapevine.

Before I go on, as suggested in prior articles, when you have the opportunity to check in 24 hours in advance, I encourage you to look at the upgrades your airline may have available. For a mere $162.00 each we upgraded to first class seats with American Airlines.

Our flight was early afternoon the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day. Oddly, enough SJC airport travel was light.

Our accommodations were at the Marriott Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel. We only need to walk around this massive hotel to experience the magic of Christmas from around the world. Christmas displays that include more than 2

million twinkling lights and acres of larger-than-life decorations. There are many events going on daily and nightly at the hotel. This is great family fun, some that you may want to check out.

Our favorite attraction was ICE! featuring an all new theme … Christmas Around the World. You will truly experience the magic of Christmas around the World as you journey through colorful holiday displays. They bring in a crew from China to sculpt more than two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures.

As you journey through ICE some of the attractions include: Cultural traditions from around the world featuring holiday scenes and children from Mexico, Germany and other countries.

There’s a two-story tall ice slides, an enchanting Parade of Toys and larger-than-life ornaments.

How about traveling through the North Pole and sit inside

Along with the ICE attraction, there’s no shortage of family fun … some of the other daily events include: • Cookies & Milk with Mrs. Claus • The Elf on the Shelf® Scavenger Hunt • Gingerbread Decorating Corner • Santa’s Snowball Throwing Workshop • Friends of Rudolph Meet & Greet • Rudolph’s Holly Jolly™ Breakfast

torian Rail coaches. As the train departs and the anticipation of arriving at the North Pole builds, elves will welcome the guests and sing traditional Christmas music.

The town of Grapevine is filled with festive boutique shops and tasty restaurants. After strolling the shops, you can climb on board the North Pole Express train. I suggest making reservations to this popular event weeks in advance as- it’s the place to be - and many Texans travel with their families every year to climb on board.

Then, a magical moment! As the train draws closer to the North Pole, Mrs. Claus makes a special appearance to give each child a “We Believe” silver Santa bell. Guests then arrive at the North Pole and walk along a snowy Christmas tree trail, where, as they wait for an appearance by Santa, guests are entertained with songs and magical Christmas moments. Finally, Santa arrives! Santa wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and then shares his Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk served in a memory mug to all the boys and girls. Families will also receive a voucher for a complimentary Family Photo with Santa.

The experience begins at the Historic Cotton Belt Depot platform where riders board the beautifully decorated Vic-

It was a great trip with lots of fun in Grapevine a little town with a lot of holiday spirit!

One night for dinner we dined at the hotels Old Hickory Steakhouse. They offer quite a selection on their menu, with selections of Steak, Pork and Fish.

A Lone Star Christmas!

By Rich Borell

C E O

&

F o u n d e r

B a y

A r e a

M a g s

Santa’s sleigh.

Experience the Frostbite Factory – an interactive ice carving station.

A full nativity scene in stunning, crystal clear ice Finally your experience concludes with a specialty alcoholic drink at the ICE BAR. Hello Everyone, A few months back my wife suggested we kick the holiday season off by traveling to a festive place in the U.S. After checking our list twice (maybe more) we decided on the Christmas capital of Texas … Grapevine.

Before I go on, as suggested in prior articles, when you have the opportunity to check in 24 hours in advance, I encourage you to look at the upgrades your airline may have available. For a mere $162.00 each we upgraded to first class seats with American Airlines.

Our flight was early afternoon the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day. Oddly, enough SJC airport travel was light.

Our accommodations were at the Marriott Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel. We only need to walk around this massive hotel to experience the magic of Christmas from around the world. Christmas displays that include more than 2

million twinkling lights and acres of larger-than-life decorations. There are many events going on daily and nightly at the hotel. This is great family fun, some that you may want to check out.

Our favorite attraction was ICE! featuring an all new theme … Christmas Around the World. You will truly experience the magic of Christmas around the World as you journey through colorful holiday displays. They bring in a crew from China to sculpt more than two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures.

As you journey through ICE some of the attractions include: Cultural traditions from around the world featuring holiday scenes and children from Mexico, Germany and other countries.

There’s a two-story tall ice slides, an enchanting Parade of Toys and larger-than-life ornaments.

How about traveling through the North Pole and sit inside

Along with the ICE attraction, there’s no shortage of family fun … some of the other daily events include: • Cookies & Milk with Mrs. Claus • The Elf on the Shelf® Scavenger Hunt • Gingerbread Decorating Corner • Santa’s Snowball Throwing Workshop • Friends of Rudolph Meet & Greet • Rudolph’s Holly Jolly™ Breakfast

torian Rail coaches. As the train departs and the anticipation of arriving at the North Pole builds, elves will welcome the guests and sing traditional Christmas music.

The town of Grapevine is filled with festive boutique shops and tasty restaurants. After strolling the shops, you can climb on board the North Pole Express train. I suggest making reservations to this popular event weeks in advance as- it’s the place to be - and many Texans travel with their families every year to climb on board.

Then, a magical moment! As the train draws closer to the North Pole, Mrs. Claus makes a special appearance to give each child a “We Believe” silver Santa bell. Guests then arrive at the North Pole and walk along a snowy Christmas tree trail, where, as they wait for an appearance by Santa, guests are entertained with songs and magical Christmas moments. Finally, Santa arrives! Santa wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and then shares his Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk served in a memory mug to all the boys and girls. Families will also receive a voucher for a complimentary Family Photo with Santa.

The experience begins at the Historic Cotton Belt Depot platform where riders board the beautifully decorated Vic-

It was a great trip with lots of fun in Grapevine a little town with a lot of holiday spirit!

One night for dinner we dined at the hotels Old Hickory Steakhouse. They offer quite a selection on their menu, with selections of Steak, Pork and Fish.

nese-style Mandara Spa and the 24-hour Stellaris Casino.

Some of the restaurants on the Marriott property include: La Vista offering awesome Seafood themed buffets with both indoor and outdoor dining

Aruba …One Happy Island!

By Rich Borell CEO & Founder Bay Area Mags

Hello Everyone, I wanted to pass along a few tips if you’re thinking about visiting one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful and romantic islands ... Aruba.

If you’re willing to get off and on the plane a few times, we scored a great price with American Airlines flying first class the entire trip for just $1,500 each round trip. Plus it’s a breeze … less than three hours by air from Miami and with U.S. pre-clearance at the airport, the only Customs officer you’ll talk to on your way home is the one in Aruba.

If you’re going back and forth about which resort hotel to stay at I can definitely make a recommendation. The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino is the ideal choice for the ultimate Aruba vacation.

Enjoy the exquisite hotel accommodations along with an

adult pool, and the exclusive Tradewinds Club - an upscale hotel-within-a-hotel concept - on the top floor of this Aruba resort.

At the Tradewinds Club guests that book these accommodations may indulge in upgraded amenities, five daily dining presentations in the private lounge, a member-only beach area, and also includes full access to the Tradewinds Concierge Service. This floor is exclusive to adults only.

The guest rooms in this Aruba Marriott beach resort are some of the most spacious on the island, each offering Marriott’s Revive bedding, contemporary bathrooms, 37” LCD flat-panel televisions and large, private balconies. This Palm Beach Aruba hotel offers premium amenities, including some of the finest restaurants in Aruba. Enjoy yourself at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, the Bali-

Ruth’s Chris Steak House of course with some of the best steaks, fresh seafood along with their assortment of classic desserts. Reservations are recommended … a bit pricey, but hey you’re on vacation.

It was one of our favorites!

Simply Fresh We had dinner here one night. They serve some of the finest mouthwatering seafood you will ever eat. A great candle light experience with your own private table on the beach.

Ketsu Sushi Bar Oh, did I eat my share of sashimi … open late until 11:30 Considered to be among the cleanest, broadest and most beautiful in the Caribbean region, Eagle Beach and Palm Beach are some of the best beaches in the world. Hint – if you want a cabana on the beach, you need to get up early to reserve.

Breathtaking diving can be enjoyed on Aruba, especially along its sheltered southwestern coastline. A large number of outstanding reefs are a great opportunity to explore magnificent coral formations while being surrounded by a large variety of tropical fish.

If you’re considering paying a bit more for some extra amenities and upgrades, do the math to figure out if the other perks are worth the extra cost. In the case of the upscale Aruba Marriott, upgrading to the Tradewinds Club is likely worth it — especially if you take full advantage of all of the included food and drink.

If you feel the need to go shopping … you’re in walking distance to the Palm Beach Plaza Mall.

I’d strongly recommend taking the Catamaran Excursion to

experience Aruba’s spectacular sunset aboard a luxury catamaran. Enjoy views of Palm Beach from the open water as you sip a cocktail and watch the stars come out. Relax as the friendly crew entertains you with local music, dancing and storytelling.

When planning your next beach vacation . . . and maybe you’re a bit tired of the Hawaiian Island … give Aruba some thought; Aruba has some of the best white sand beaches in the Caribbean along with great diving, some of the best tropical night life you can find anywhere … plus you can always count on sunny skies.

Aruba is an ideal destination because it is located in the Netherland Antilles outside the hurricane belt.

It’s no wonder car plates in Aruba display the slogan “One Happy Island”

nese-style Mandara Spa and the 24-hour Stellaris Casino.

Some of the restaurants on the Marriott property include: La Vista offering awesome Seafood themed buffets with both indoor and outdoor dining

Aruba …One Happy Island!

By Rich Borell CEO & Founder Bay Area Mags

Hello Everyone, I wanted to pass along a few tips if you’re thinking about visiting one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful and romantic islands ... Aruba.

If you’re willing to get off and on the plane a few times, we scored a great price with American Airlines flying first class the entire trip for just $1,500 each round trip. Plus it’s a breeze … less than three hours by air from Miami and with U.S. pre-clearance at the airport, the only Customs officer you’ll talk to on your way home is the one in Aruba.

If you’re going back and forth about which resort hotel to stay at I can definitely make a recommendation. The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino is the ideal choice for the ultimate Aruba vacation.

Enjoy the exquisite hotel accommodations along with an

adult pool, and the exclusive Tradewinds Club - an upscale hotel-within-a-hotel concept - on the top floor of this Aruba resort.

At the Tradewinds Club guests that book these accommodations may indulge in upgraded amenities, five daily dining presentations in the private lounge, a member-only beach area, and also includes full access to the Tradewinds Concierge Service. This floor is exclusive to adults only.

The guest rooms in this Aruba Marriott beach resort are some of the most spacious on the island, each offering Marriott’s Revive bedding, contemporary bathrooms, 37” LCD flat-panel televisions and large, private balconies. This Palm Beach Aruba hotel offers premium amenities, including some of the finest restaurants in Aruba. Enjoy yourself at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, the Bali-

Ruth’s Chris Steak House of course with some of the best steaks, fresh seafood along with their assortment of classic desserts. Reservations are recommended … a bit pricey, but hey you’re on vacation.

It was one of our favorites!

Simply Fresh We had dinner here one night. They serve some of the finest mouthwatering seafood you will ever eat. A great candle light experience with your own private table on the beach.

Ketsu Sushi Bar Oh, did I eat my share of sashimi … open late until 11:30 Considered to be among the cleanest, broadest and most beautiful in the Caribbean region, Eagle Beach and Palm Beach are some of the best beaches in the world. Hint – if you want a cabana on the beach, you need to get up early to reserve.

Breathtaking diving can be enjoyed on Aruba, especially along its sheltered southwestern coastline. A large number of outstanding reefs are a great opportunity to explore magnificent coral formations while being surrounded by a large variety of tropical fish.

If you’re considering paying a bit more for some extra amenities and upgrades, do the math to figure out if the other perks are worth the extra cost. In the case of the upscale Aruba Marriott, upgrading to the Tradewinds Club is likely worth it — especially if you take full advantage of all of the included food and drink.

If you feel the need to go shopping … you’re in walking distance to the Palm Beach Plaza Mall.

I’d strongly recommend taking the Catamaran Excursion to

experience Aruba’s spectacular sunset aboard a luxury catamaran. Enjoy views of Palm Beach from the open water as you sip a cocktail and watch the stars come out. Relax as the friendly crew entertains you with local music, dancing and storytelling.

When planning your next beach vacation . . . and maybe you’re a bit tired of the Hawaiian Island … give Aruba some thought; Aruba has some of the best white sand beaches in the Caribbean along with great diving, some of the best tropical night life you can find anywhere … plus you can always count on sunny skies.

Aruba is an ideal destination because it is located in the Netherland Antilles outside the hurricane belt.

It’s no wonder car plates in Aruba display the slogan “One Happy Island”

The

MagniFIcent

Wild Wild West

SATURDAY: Today was pretty much a driving day, with our destination being the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. After a long day, it was nice to have waiting for us a gorgeous roomy room, and an excellent fine dining experience. Now I know why this resort has such a wonderful reputation.

BY RICH BORELL

Hello Everyone, Well, with summer here, my wife and I were giving some thought to our bucket list. Yes, we do have a joint one. It’s to visit 50 countries and 50 states. Happy to say, we’re doing a good job so far, as we’re over half way on both. So, we thought to ourselves, let’s add a few more states to our list.

We mapped out a pretty cool trip that I want to share with you in case you desire to see some of this beautiful countryside of our amazing nation. Our journey highlights will include: Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore.

Our itinerary will take us to Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and South Dakota. Hold on … here we go!

Bear Country USA

FRIDAY: We started out with a 7AM flight from San Jose to Denver. We decided to go with Southwest Airlines.

They had the best schedule to get us there early. I had some business to take care of, so we needed to get there as soon as we could. Our flight arrived right on time. Avis was nice

Rockies were so far behind, we chose not to hang around for what seemed destined to be a lengthy rain delay. We headed back to the hotel … knowing we had a long drive ahead of us the next day … and a nice warm shower Old Faithful waiting for us before bed that night.

enough to upgrade us to a Mercedes E Class, which had navigation. After a brief meeting, my wife had us scheduled for a 2PM Tea at our hotel … The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa. I’ve had the pleasure of attending some tea functions with her in the past, I usually walk away hungry after eating bits and pieces of finger food. I will say this, however: this time The Brown Palace did an excellent job in filling me up with delicious finger foods and desserts. If you’re into being spoiled, you don’t want to miss this luxury hotel that comes with all the fixings like spa and salon and nice restaurants. You will want to check out The Brown Palace, conveniently located in downtown Denver. After our Tea, we strolled the 16th Street Mall for some delightful shopping.

This is when it got interesting. For our night time plans, we had great seats behind third base at Coors Field to see the Colorado Rockies play the Miami Marlins. At game time, the weather was picture perfect. By the 8th inning, the roar of thunder and hail came out of nowhere. From sunshine to being drenched … Fans in the upper deck were asked to vacate due to lightning. Unfortunately, the

SUNDAY: After breakfast at the hotel, we found a Starbucks … needed a good fix. Super, wherever we are. From there, we went to Teton Village to take the Tram. In no time, you will breeze up over 4,000 feet (actually just over 10 minutes) to the top of Rendezvous Mountain that stands over 10,000 feet. From there you can walk around and grab some awesome pictures. While up there I suggest you grab one of Mount Rushmore

their “Top of The World Waffles” - the scent alone will force you to eat one. Oh, did I mention, they also serve hot chocolate and Baileys … “yummy”!

We then drove for two hours to West Yellowstone, Montana.

We had plenty of daylight, so we paid a visit to the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. While some may think it’s a zoo, it’s really animals who call the Discovery Center home due to injuries where they are incapable of living in the wild. We got to see birds like Bald & Golden Eagles and Peregrine Falcons. Of course, the Bears put on a great show. The guides at the Center are informative and will answer all your questions.

MONDAY: Today we had scheduled the “Lower Loop Tour” of Yellowstone National Park. One of the more popular tour guides is Buffalo Bus Touring Company. I was really impressed; our guide, Graham, was very informative; plus, the motor coach seated around 18 and was very comfortable. The tour isn’t inexpensive, but you will get a good 11 hours of education along with some fun humor. You can order a bag lunch or, as we decided to do, you can have a very nice lunch at The Village Lodge Mammoth.

The upper loop of the figure “8” circles Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower-Roosevelt and Canyon Junction and Norris Junction then back to Mammoth. It is roughly 70 miles in circumference. The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is a must see. This is probably one of the most breathtaking sites in the entire park!

At the Lava Creek picnic area through the Blacktail ponds area watch for two large bull elk which are often seen in this stretch; many bison frequent this area, too. We also saw some coyote along the road.

We got back around 6ish, and based on a recommendation, we had a great dinner at the Madison Lounge. Fol-

The

MagniFIcent

Wild Wild West

SATURDAY: Today was pretty much a driving day, with our destination being the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. After a long day, it was nice to have waiting for us a gorgeous roomy room, and an excellent fine dining experience. Now I know why this resort has such a wonderful reputation.

BY RICH BORELL

Hello Everyone, Well, with summer here, my wife and I were giving some thought to our bucket list. Yes, we do have a joint one. It’s to visit 50 countries and 50 states. Happy to say, we’re doing a good job so far, as we’re over half way on both. So, we thought to ourselves, let’s add a few more states to our list.

We mapped out a pretty cool trip that I want to share with you in case you desire to see some of this beautiful countryside of our amazing nation. Our journey highlights will include: Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore.

Our itinerary will take us to Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and South Dakota. Hold on … here we go!

Bear Country USA

FRIDAY: We started out with a 7AM flight from San Jose to Denver. We decided to go with Southwest Airlines.

They had the best schedule to get us there early. I had some business to take care of, so we needed to get there as soon as we could. Our flight arrived right on time. Avis was nice

Rockies were so far behind, we chose not to hang around for what seemed destined to be a lengthy rain delay. We headed back to the hotel … knowing we had a long drive ahead of us the next day … and a nice warm shower Old Faithful waiting for us before bed that night.

enough to upgrade us to a Mercedes E Class, which had navigation. After a brief meeting, my wife had us scheduled for a 2PM Tea at our hotel … The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa. I’ve had the pleasure of attending some tea functions with her in the past, I usually walk away hungry after eating bits and pieces of finger food. I will say this, however: this time The Brown Palace did an excellent job in filling me up with delicious finger foods and desserts. If you’re into being spoiled, you don’t want to miss this luxury hotel that comes with all the fixings like spa and salon and nice restaurants. You will want to check out The Brown Palace, conveniently located in downtown Denver. After our Tea, we strolled the 16th Street Mall for some delightful shopping.

This is when it got interesting. For our night time plans, we had great seats behind third base at Coors Field to see the Colorado Rockies play the Miami Marlins. At game time, the weather was picture perfect. By the 8th inning, the roar of thunder and hail came out of nowhere. From sunshine to being drenched … Fans in the upper deck were asked to vacate due to lightning. Unfortunately, the

SUNDAY: After breakfast at the hotel, we found a Starbucks … needed a good fix. Super, wherever we are. From there, we went to Teton Village to take the Tram. In no time, you will breeze up over 4,000 feet (actually just over 10 minutes) to the top of Rendezvous Mountain that stands over 10,000 feet. From there you can walk around and grab some awesome pictures. While up there I suggest you grab one of Mount Rushmore

their “Top of The World Waffles” - the scent alone will force you to eat one. Oh, did I mention, they also serve hot chocolate and Baileys … “yummy”!

We then drove for two hours to West Yellowstone, Montana.

We had plenty of daylight, so we paid a visit to the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. While some may think it’s a zoo, it’s really animals who call the Discovery Center home due to injuries where they are incapable of living in the wild. We got to see birds like Bald & Golden Eagles and Peregrine Falcons. Of course, the Bears put on a great show. The guides at the Center are informative and will answer all your questions.

MONDAY: Today we had scheduled the “Lower Loop Tour” of Yellowstone National Park. One of the more popular tour guides is Buffalo Bus Touring Company. I was really impressed; our guide, Graham, was very informative; plus, the motor coach seated around 18 and was very comfortable. The tour isn’t inexpensive, but you will get a good 11 hours of education along with some fun humor. You can order a bag lunch or, as we decided to do, you can have a very nice lunch at The Village Lodge Mammoth.

The upper loop of the figure “8” circles Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower-Roosevelt and Canyon Junction and Norris Junction then back to Mammoth. It is roughly 70 miles in circumference. The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is a must see. This is probably one of the most breathtaking sites in the entire park!

At the Lava Creek picnic area through the Blacktail ponds area watch for two large bull elk which are often seen in this stretch; many bison frequent this area, too. We also saw some coyote along the road.

We got back around 6ish, and based on a recommendation, we had a great dinner at the Madison Lounge. Fol-

Grand Canyon

Yellowstone

Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, South Dakota

lowing dinner, we still had some time, so we went and saw “Yellowstone” which was playing at the IMAX Theatre.

While in Yellowstone, we stayed at the Yellowstone Lodge, which is a few miles from the gate to the National Park.

We pulled in at the perfect time as a Ranger was about to give a 30 minute lecture on what happened that day in the field. Along with the monuments, you will see the gravesites of the soldiers who died on the battlefield.

TUESDAY: Today, we decided to drive the “Lower Loop” of the park.

We were able to get into some areas that the tour bus couldn’t. The Lower Loop is the more popular loop as it has the bulk of Yellowstone’s thermal features … Old Faithful being one of them … as hundreds of people gather around to watch.

We pulled in around 5:30PM at the Holiday Inn Suites & Gold Dust Casino. Once you make your way through the casino, and take the elevator up to the Hotel Lobby, it’s like stepping into another world. We didn’t expect the hotel to be so elegant. We reserved a suite that had a bar and kitchen. If I ever get lost and end up in Deadwood, South Dakota … I’ll be staying here again.

Some other areas of interest you won’t want to miss along the loop include: Firehole Canyon Drive, Fountain Paint Pots and the Lower Geyser Basin, Firehole Lake Drive and Midway Geyser Basin.

THURSDAY: Today, we spent some time in downtown Deadwood. We also took in some local sites in Deadwood that included the following: Adams House Museum: The memorabilia here has been very well preserved. Lots of history in this old Victorian house.

Mount Moriah Cemetery: About 100 yards from the opening you will find the burial place of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Seth Bullock and other notable figures of the Wild West.

Be sure to check out the Old Faithful Inn Resort, as well … there are great restaurants in the area.

Wednesday: Today, we’ll be doing a good share of driving … and we’ll end up in Deadwood, South Dakota. We decided on this route because we wanted to stop off and visit the Battlefield National Monument. This, of course, is where the Battle of the Little Bighorn took place … also commonly referred to as Custer’s Last Stand.

For lunch, we ate at a local restaurant owned by actor Kevin Costner called The Midnight Star. The food was excellent … if you can get in, I highly recommend it.

After spending most of the day in Deadwood, our journey continued to Rapid City, South Dakota, and the Marriott.

FRIDAY: Today, we set out about 20 miles from our hotel to see a site my wife has been wanting to see for quite some time … Mount Rushmore. It is such a beautiful site. Rangers are there to answer your questions, you won’t have a problem getting a good picture, as well. There is a little bit of a wait to get into the park. While there, you can enjoy checking out a film on the history of the monument, along with visiting the museum and gift shop. We had lunch in the town, just outside the park, called Keystone. I highly recommend eating at the Powder House & Lodge.

We also took a visit to Bear Country USA. Here, you will drive (with your windows up) through a park with roam-

Elk

ing bears close by. The drive will take about 45 minutes, and I predict you will get some awesome looking photos, right from your car. While there in the park, you may also see: Artic Wolf, Buffalo, Coyote, Elk, Grizzly and Black Bear, Mountain Lions, to mention a few. They boast around 20 species. The larger species roam freely throughout 250 acres of the drive-thru park.

SATURDAY: Today, we start out on our final road trip, driving back to Denver. We took, however, a small detour to stop in at the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, South Dakota. Many mammoth remains, preserved in an old sinkhole, are shown off at this museum and research center.

Originally a sinkhole that trapped a lot of mammoths (and other animals) over the years, it is now one of the best excavation sites of mammoth remains on display.

Here we are, back on Southwest Airlines once again, heading home, looking back, our journey now behind us. Our trip was more than beautiful and fun, exciting and safe. It could not have been nicer.

If you’re planning to see some of the Western States, yes, the magnificent Wild Wild West, it’s a great experience that we thoroughly enjoyed. There are indeed many awesome reasons why I believe you and everyone else would, too.

Until next time …

Grand Canyon

Yellowstone

Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, South Dakota

lowing dinner, we still had some time, so we went and saw “Yellowstone” which was playing at the IMAX Theatre.

While in Yellowstone, we stayed at the Yellowstone Lodge, which is a few miles from the gate to the National Park.

We pulled in at the perfect time as a Ranger was about to give a 30 minute lecture on what happened that day in the field. Along with the monuments, you will see the gravesites of the soldiers who died on the battlefield.

TUESDAY: Today, we decided to drive the “Lower Loop” of the park.

We were able to get into some areas that the tour bus couldn’t. The Lower Loop is the more popular loop as it has the bulk of Yellowstone’s thermal features … Old Faithful being one of them … as hundreds of people gather around to watch.

We pulled in around 5:30PM at the Holiday Inn Suites & Gold Dust Casino. Once you make your way through the casino, and take the elevator up to the Hotel Lobby, it’s like stepping into another world. We didn’t expect the hotel to be so elegant. We reserved a suite that had a bar and kitchen. If I ever get lost and end up in Deadwood, South Dakota … I’ll be staying here again.

Some other areas of interest you won’t want to miss along the loop include: Firehole Canyon Drive, Fountain Paint Pots and the Lower Geyser Basin, Firehole Lake Drive and Midway Geyser Basin.

THURSDAY: Today, we spent some time in downtown Deadwood. We also took in some local sites in Deadwood that included the following: Adams House Museum: The memorabilia here has been very well preserved. Lots of history in this old Victorian house.

Mount Moriah Cemetery: About 100 yards from the opening you will find the burial place of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Seth Bullock and other notable figures of the Wild West.

Be sure to check out the Old Faithful Inn Resort, as well … there are great restaurants in the area.

Wednesday: Today, we’ll be doing a good share of driving … and we’ll end up in Deadwood, South Dakota. We decided on this route because we wanted to stop off and visit the Battlefield National Monument. This, of course, is where the Battle of the Little Bighorn took place … also commonly referred to as Custer’s Last Stand.

For lunch, we ate at a local restaurant owned by actor Kevin Costner called The Midnight Star. The food was excellent … if you can get in, I highly recommend it.

After spending most of the day in Deadwood, our journey continued to Rapid City, South Dakota, and the Marriott.

FRIDAY: Today, we set out about 20 miles from our hotel to see a site my wife has been wanting to see for quite some time … Mount Rushmore. It is such a beautiful site. Rangers are there to answer your questions, you won’t have a problem getting a good picture, as well. There is a little bit of a wait to get into the park. While there, you can enjoy checking out a film on the history of the monument, along with visiting the museum and gift shop. We had lunch in the town, just outside the park, called Keystone. I highly recommend eating at the Powder House & Lodge.

We also took a visit to Bear Country USA. Here, you will drive (with your windows up) through a park with roam-

Elk

ing bears close by. The drive will take about 45 minutes, and I predict you will get some awesome looking photos, right from your car. While there in the park, you may also see: Artic Wolf, Buffalo, Coyote, Elk, Grizzly and Black Bear, Mountain Lions, to mention a few. They boast around 20 species. The larger species roam freely throughout 250 acres of the drive-thru park.

SATURDAY: Today, we start out on our final road trip, driving back to Denver. We took, however, a small detour to stop in at the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, South Dakota. Many mammoth remains, preserved in an old sinkhole, are shown off at this museum and research center.

Originally a sinkhole that trapped a lot of mammoths (and other animals) over the years, it is now one of the best excavation sites of mammoth remains on display.

Here we are, back on Southwest Airlines once again, heading home, looking back, our journey now behind us. Our trip was more than beautiful and fun, exciting and safe. It could not have been nicer.

If you’re planning to see some of the Western States, yes, the magnificent Wild Wild West, it’s a great experience that we thoroughly enjoyed. There are indeed many awesome reasons why I believe you and everyone else would, too.

Until next time …

Forever Delightful CHRISTMAS IN LONDON … AND PARIS, TOO!

By Rich Borell

Hello Everyone, Ever think about having a jolly holiday in London, England one of the most beautiful cites during Christmas time? We have … we just did it … and we loved it!

Our trip starts Saturday, December 20th. It’s going to be a pretty quick turnaround trip; just a week, which will also include a night in Paris.

We’ll be flying out of the Norman Mineta San Jose International Airport. We had already upgraded our tickets, but decided we wanted to live a little and had them upgraded yet again. This time, into business class.

Booking through American Airlines directly, we were fortunate. It was a great price, only $499 per ticket.

For those of you who travel a few times a year, here’s a suggestion. Ever thought about getting approved by TSA? Yes, you need to fill out an application and have a personal interview (and write a check). But it was a pleasure.

You might think it’s worth it the first time you show your credentials … and are nicely directed through a separate line. This time, there’s nothing to take off … shoes, belt, etc. Plus, instead of waiting in the lines, we were promptly on board and on our merry way.

Saturday: We had a 12:55PM flight from San Jose to Dallas that was late in taking off. The pilot fortunately was able to make good timing. When we arrived in Dallas, there was still a plane at our gate. We waited for 10 minutes, and then they found us another gate so that we could de-plane. The only problem, though, there was no outside agent to assist, so we sat still yet for another 10 minutes. Some people were going to miss their connecting flights. We were very fortunate … we had another hour-plus as our flight to London was delayed.

On board once again, we fastened our seat belts - the champagne has been poured – and we toasted our trip ahead … on to London!

Sunday: We arrived in London about an hour late, which was fine. We didn’t have a lot planned other than getting on the

city tour bus. For our trip, we would be staying at the Marriott London Square, right near the world famous London Eye. This is our favorite place to stay when we visit London, one of our favorite cities in the world.

Here’s a few stops you may want to visit while on the city tour.

• St. Paul’s Cathedral • The world-famous London Bridge • London’s number one attraction “The London Eye” • Buckingham Palace • Big Ben • Westminster Abbey • The Tower Bridge Monday: Today started with a complimentary breakfast at our hotel. We had a few hours before our tour was to begin, so we took a long walk along the River Thames enjoying some really beautiful sites.

The holiday season is certainly in full swing as all the vendors were getting set up for the day.

Today we had an afternoon tour planned at the Warner’s Studio where the blockbuster film Harry Potter was filmed. If you’re a Potter fan, as we are, this is a must when in the London area.

The team behind the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter wanted to preserve and showcase these iconic props, costumes and sets so that Harry Potter fans could experience the magic of filmmaking first-hand.

Many of the original cast and crew returned to reassemble the sets and recorded their memories from filming, and on March 31st, 2012, the Studio

Tour opened its doors.

After a greeting in the Grand Hall, you have a self-guided tour seeing all of the sets and original outfits worn. On the set adjacent to the working film studios, where all eight Harry Potter films were made, the studio tour offers visitors the unique opportunity to explore two soundstages and a backlot filled with original sets, animatronic creatures and breath-taking special effects.

Here’s an interesting tidbit - The film studio where the Harry Potter film series was filmed was originally an old aircraft factory and runway where planes such as Mosquitos and Halifax Bombers were manufactured.

Tuesday: Today we again start with breakfast at the hotel. We’ve set up for an 8.30AM taxi pick-up to take us to the train station for our 10:25AM departure to Paris. A brief note about the taxi system in London: It seems only 30 percent accept credit cards … so, be sure to inquire when making your reservation … and have some cash (pounds) on you.

It was a quick two hour journey through the English Tunnel to Paris. For those of you who may not like the thought of taking a train underwater, rest assured, it goes pretty fast. The tunnel at its lowest point is 250 feet deep and it only takes about twenty minutes from end to end. Also, the good news is, they don’t even announce that you’re going through it.

We arrived in Paris around 2PM. Our accommodations were at the Paris Marriott Opera Ambassador Hotel. We didn’t have a lot of time today, so we strolled the Avenue des ChampsElysees, which is one of the main shopping streets in Paris. On one end of the street, it offers a nice view of the Arc de Triomphe; and, on the other end, it offers a nice view of the Place de La Concorde.

This evening we had tickets to see the world famous cabaret Moulin Rouge.

I assure you, visiting Paris can only be complete if you see a performance at the Moulin Rouge. The cabaret is spectacular - with excellent dancers in an array of stunning outfits. There are two shows offered - One which includes dinner & champagne (which I would recommend) and another show excluding dinner. Tickets can be

expensive based on your seats … but most tickets do include a nice bottle of Champagne.

Wednesday: Today we started out with a short walk to Starbucks for a lite breakfast. We had a private tour planned today to drive us through Paris. Although we’ve been to Paris previously, we wanted to capture more of the city. In our last trip we didn’t have time to visit the Pere Lachaise, which is the largest cemetery in Paris and is actually located right in the middle of the city. Although there are many famous people interred at this cemetery, the reason for our visit was to view Jim Morrison’s gravesite. We understood that there may be large crowds and also the site is regularly guarded; however, this day was neither.

Our tour lasted about four hours with our driver taking us to the train station for our trip back to London.

For some other site-seeing recommendations while in Paris, I can recommend the following: • The Louvre (I strongly recommend purchasing Fast Track tickets – lines can be rather long) • Versailles • Dinner at the Eiffel Tower • Notre Dame de Paris • Champs-Elysees • Disneyland Paris Thursday: For Christmas Day we had a 10 hour walking tour scheduled to start at 6AM. We arranged this several months in advance with our guide, Peter Berthoud. Peter is an excellent guideknowledgeable, perceptive and amusing. We met sharply at 6AM near the London Eye, along with 30 other people, who were also brave enough to get up this early morning in 35 degree weather … and it wasn’t going to get much warmer as the day progressed.

After meeting with Peter and his assistant, Lindsey, everyone was given a bag with lots of

Jane Seymour. The castle is usually closed for tours on the weekend since that is when the Royal Family stays.

Salisbury: Salisbury is a cathedral city in Wiltshire, England, and the only city within the county. This is definitely a “countryside” city that has much history.

goodies to munch on during our tour.

Despite the frigid cold weather, we really enjoyed it and found out lots of interesting facts and saw lots of interesting hidden bits of Soho and Picadilly. We also visited other interesting areas which we never would have known about.

This is definitely the best time to see London; there were empty streets, it was if we had the city to ourselves. We found out things that you would never discover in a guide book. Peter has a very good knowledge of London. We saw many interesting historical sites, plus having all these tidbits being thrown in. We also enjoyed making a few stops at some nice coffee shops, that were thankfully open on Christmas Day, as well as having a delightful lunch at a local pub.

Friday: Today we had an all day tour that would take us to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Salisbury and Bath. We were picked up at our hotel promptly at 8AM for our journey to our first stop … Windsor Castle.

Windsor Castle: Built high above the River Thames, Windsor Castle has been the home to the Royal Family for the past 900 years and is still the official residence of the Queen. You will enjoy strolling through the castle grounds and the fourteenth century St. George’s Chapel, the burial place of kings and queens, including Henry VIII and his third wife,

Stonehenge: Clouded in mystery, this ancient stone circle is the most pre-historic site in England. Going beyond its archaeological and even astronomical role, it’s a place of spiritual importance as early legends link it with Merlin and King Arthur, as it’s still one of Europe’s best known pre-historic monuments around. The stones are surrounded by several hundred burial mounds.

They have recently opened a fabulous, worldclass Visitor Centre that includes a museum with extraordinary exhibitions, along with a spacious shop and café.

Our tour included lunch at the Antrobus Arms Hotel located a few miles from Stonehenge.

This is a gorgeous boutique hotel featuring 20 individually styled en-suite rooms, one of which is the Beatles Suite, where the Fab 4 stayed while filming “Help” on Salisbury Plain.

Bath: The final stop of the tour is the beautiful Georgian City of Bath. We had a walking tour of some of the finest architectural sights in Europe including Bath Abbey, the Royal Crecent, the Circus, Assembly Rooms and the famous Pulteney Bridge. These Roman Baths, built around thermal springs, have been supplying water for over 2,000 years.

Saturday: Well, today it’s back home with a flight to Dallas and then our connecting flight to the Bay Area, getting us in around 11PM. Spending the holiday in London, and Paris, was everything we thought it would be. Beautiful, interesting and most enjoyable. It was indeed delightful. Stay tuned as we look forward to sharing more trip tips with you during the New Year!

Scandinavian Splendor & Many Memorable Smiles

By Rich Borell

G

reetings Everyone! I want to share with you our recent trip to Scandinavia that included stops in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. This trip actually came together just a few weeks before we left. We had tickets to fly into Copenhagen, then on to Finland. From that point, we were going to take the train and spend most of our time in Russia. We had our Russian Visa and were ready to go. Unfortunately, due to the most recent events, we were advised not to go. I want to thank our tour guide in Moscow for all he did and we look forward in seeing him on a future trip to Russia.

So, if you are considering a venture to Northern Europe, we certainly found it to be such a beautiful region. We loved all the natural scenery and European sights and, yes, the delicious food, too … and, what was extra nice, the people were always very friendly and hospitable.

Even though the Danish, Norwegian and Swedish languages are known as Scandinavian languages, you can be well-assured most everyone understands and speaks English. You should travel with a money converter, and if you carry an iPhone, you already have the app. Contrary to popular belief, not all countries have converted to the Euro. Finland has; however, the other three countries have not. You will need to convert your USD in Denmark to Danish Kroner, in Sweden to Swedish Kronor and in Norway to Norwegian

Kroner.

I also want to mention something about using your credit card. First, you should check with your credit card company to see if you have a foreign transaction fee. Indeed, it can add up. I can recommend Capital One Visa, as they currently don’t charge a fee. Since 2013, the EU went to a chip card and the US has not quite adapted to that as yet. Most businesses will accept your credit card; however, you need to let them know it’s a signature card … meaning you will need to sign.

Most will ask you for a PIN based on this chip …

I believe we will have new credit cards with chips sometime in 2015.

Here are some ideas from our itinerary:

Friday: First of all, we would like to thank Frank & Teri over at Wireless Rides for the limo service up to SFO. Our trip began on Friday with a relatively short, very nice three-and-a-half hour flight to Chicago O’Hare. Once there, we enjoyed a brief hour-plus layover. From Chicago, our transfer flight was with Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), which departed on time. We had upgraded our seats and really enjoyed the plenty of extra leg room we had for the eight hour flight to Copenhagen.

Saturday: We arrived in Copenhagen early afternoon the following day on Saturday. We took some time and strolled the Copenhagen Town Mall. From there, we enjoyed walking to Nyhavn, the popular 17th century waterfront, canal and entertainment district, and then shopping along the long streets of Stroget, experiencing this pleasant traffic free district. We stopped for a bite to eat at the Hard Rock Café, and along the way, we enjoyed some more shopping. Next, we went to the Visitor’s Center for some helpful info that would fill our day for tomorrow. Of course, we were on the prowl for our first local Starbucks … you will find a new one that recently opened at the train station.

Our first night was at a boutique hotel … the Grand Hotel Copenhagen … in a nice city central location.

Sunday: Up early, we strolled back to Starbucks. We didn’t have a lot of time today, as most of our time in Copenhagen was reserved for when we would return towards the end of our trip. Today, we would have a 3:30PM flight to Helsinki, Finland, so we took advantage of our great location and enjoyed walking around.

Our flight to Helsinki was short. We grabbed a cab (you will get a cab inside of the airport), which was approximately 30 Euros to our hotel.

We stayed at Hotel Kamp, the only 5-star hotel in Finland. By the time we got in, it was time to find a place for a relaxing dinner. We didn’t have to go far, just outside of our hotel and about 100 yards to our left was an amazing restaurant called Kappeli. We had a fabulous two hour dinner … my only advice is that this may not be the place if you’re traveling on a budget. It boasted a great menu that included something for everyone … even that something special, if you wanted to try a plate of Reindeer. I went with their fresh Salmon, my wife enjoyed her Chicken mushroom and

stew dinner. For dessert, we had the traditional Blueberry cake and ice cream … everything was delicious.

Since it was Sunday, most retail businesses were closed; however, we did come across the Helsinki Hard Rock Café and were able to enjoy doing some shopping there.

Monday: Today, we started out with breakfast at the hotel and then took a nice walk through the city square in Helsinki. There was some light rain in the morning that later broke way for blue skies and sunshine.

Our tour took us to some cool places... while in Helsinki, you may want to visit a few of these spots: Olympic Stadium (site of the 1956 Summer Olympic Games) Sibelius Monument Nature History Museum Parliament House (the guards are very friendly and not camera shy) Uspenski Cathedral Tuesday: Today is another travel day, so we enjoyed

Helsinki, Finland

strolling the very popular Stockmann’s, the largest department store in Finland and all Scandinavia.

We had lunch back at our Hotel Camp … I’d highly recommend the Salmon Soup, and also a few other favorites, which were the Shrimp Sandwich and Club with Fried Egg. From our hotel, it was a 15-minute walk to the Viking Cruise Line Terminal. First stop was our Bon Voyage Picture, then going on board for our overnight cruise to Stockholm, Sweden.

For an overnight cruise, the ship had everything you could ask for … There were several restaurants, bars, casinos, theatre, a kid’s game room, live shows and much more. I had another fabulous Salmon dinner. We enjoyed a stunning sunset, the weather was perfect.

Our ship, the Marella, was filled with such the warm friendly staff. One red flag, going back to the credit card pin number situation, the ship is a stickler on the pin number. Good news, they do offer currency exchange, so as always, carry some cash with you.

During the night, the seas did get a bit choppy.

I’d suggest getting a room in the middle and upper floor.

Wednesday: Our ship arrived at 10:30AM, there were plenty of taxi’s at the terminal to take you to your hotel.

Even though we arrived several hours before check in, our room was ready. We stayed at the “First Hotels” centrally located on the waterfront in old town. Our room had a large window with great views of the pier area and amusement park.

We took a walk around old town, which looked a bit like Venice, once you’re away from the water. We stopped and had lunch at Sally’s. Service was a bit slow, they may not be used to the American’s fast pace. We had an authentic Swedish Shrimp plate with fish eggs.

After lunch, we bought our ticket and went on the “Hop on Bus” tour which will take you throughout Stockholm for two hours.

Stockholm, Sweden After our delightful city tour, Grenka, a chic hotel, comparable to the W Hotel in we put in another couple of hours San Francisco. on foot, enjoying going through the shops of old town. We wound our day down with a drink at our Friday & Saturday: hotel bar before turning in.

We started the day with what was a great buffet breakfast at our hotel. Our hotel was nice; however, Thursday: our room was very small. So first thing this mornWe started our day with Breakfast at our Hotel. ing, we checked out and went over to the Grand We had purchased a two-day pass on the tour bus, so we got back on. While in Stockholm, you might Deluxe Suite Hotel. The price went up, up, up … but was well worth it. want to check out a few of these sights: While in Oslo, we dined at Café Christiania a Vasa Museum few times, delicious seafood soup. If you’re into Drottningholm Palace Abba – The Museum (everyone on our tour real- Starbucks, like us, you will find plenty of them around Oslo. ly enjoyed this stop) Nordic Museum Oslo is a great city … it is very clean, which we Museum of Medieval (one of our favorites) enjoyed, also such friendly people. If you make it Rosersberg Palace up to Viking country, I can highly suggest stopping Skyview off at a few of these sights: Viking Ship Museum After our tour, our stay in Stockholm wouldn’t Akershus Fortress (a must see) be complete without another round of shopping Nobel Peace Center (where the Nobel Peace and grabbing a bite at the Stockholm Hard Rock Prize is given) Café. Next up would be our flight to Oslo, Norway.

Royal Palace We arrived in Oslo around 8PM. It was a long University Botanical Garden day, so we chose to take a taxi to our hotel. City Oslo Tramway Museum center is a bit distant from the airport, so expect a hefty cab fare... like $240 USD. Our hotel was the First Hotel Grims

Oslo, Norway

Sunday: Our day started with breakfast at our hotel. We then walked to the train station... Remember when I mentioned it was a $240 USD cab fare before?

For both of us to take the train, it was only $29.00 USD … Yes, for both of us! Norway is a beautiful country; however, it’s one of the most expensive.

Today, we flew back to Copenhagen, just a brisk 55-minute flight. We checked in at the Palace Hotel.

We took a short walk over to the Visitors Bureau to book our tour which we planned for the next day.

After that, we had a long leisurely dinner at the delightful restaurant, Il Petal.

Monday: Today, our day started early with breakfast at our hotel. Then off for our Grand Day Trip, which will take until early evening. Our tour stared with our guide Andersen picking us up near the hotel.

Our tour was with four other couples … Andersen was a very thorough guide and spoke English very well.

Our tour for the day included:

Roskilde Cathedral (the astonishing church with burial places of no less than 39 kings and queens) Kronborg Castle (an impressive fortification that guarded the entrance to the Baltic Sea for six centuries, and is where Shakespeare’s Hamlet lived) Frederiksborg Palace (this is the largest and most beautiful renaissance castle in Scandinavia) Viking Ship Museum (modern rebuilt models and excavated original ships from the time when the Vikings conquered much of Western Europe and ruled the North Atlantic) Tuesday: Our last full day was jammed to get in as much as we could. So our day started with breakfast, a quick bite at Starbucks. From there, we joined the Copenhagen Walking Tour, which would be for three hours. Some of our stops along the tour included: Copenhagen Town Hall Tivoli Gardens Danish Royal Palace Hans Christen Andersen Danish Parliament

Academy of Fine Arts Stroget Shopping Mile After our tour, we got back on the “Hop on Bus”.

While in Copenhagen, below are some places you might want to put on your list: Statens Museum for Kunst National Museum of Denmark Copenhagen Opera House Museum Erotica Royal Danish Playhouse We finished our day with what was again a delicious meal, this time at the Restaurant Barock in Copenhagen.

Wednesday: Today’s our day to return home, we admitted we were very much ready to get back. Our non-stop flight was from Copenhagen back to SFO. Our flight was perfect and again we arrived on time. SAS is a great airline to fly, excellent on time schedule and with very courteous attendants.

As always, I suggest paying to upgrade your seating, if you can, it makes a world of difference. Again, a big thank you to Wireless Rides for warmly welcoming us on time at the airport and taking us home.

Scandinavian Splendor … & Many Memorable Smiles, indeed. It was such a great trip and such a wonderful time. We enjoyed sharing it with you.

Until next time …

Copenhagen, Denmark

Europe’s LOW COUNTRY

HIGHLIGHTS

The triumphal arch at the Parc du Cinquantenaire, Brussels.

Story by Rich Borell, CEO & Founder

Hello Everyone, I want to share with you my itinerary from my recent trip to Europe. It was a whirlwind trip traveling to Belgium, Luxembourg, Amsterdam along with Hamburg and Berlin Germany.

We booked our trip 6 weeks in advance using European Destinations Travel Agency. They had a very good website to navigate hotel upgrades and get enough info to plan our trip. We also spoke with one of their senior travel agents to put the final touches with private drivers to pick us up as we arrived in each of our destinations. What we like about them is they are available 24/7 which was a plus for us.

Our trip started early on a Wednesday, with our flight originating from San Jose, our first plane change was in Denver, from Denver we flew to Chicago, then Chicago to Brussels. We had an uneventful flight, taking United Airlines along with their Star Partners. We arrived on time in Brussels the next day at 9:20AM. While in Chicago we checked in with United’s customer service and was able to purchase and upgrade for a modest fee for the long flight to Brussels … very cool.

Thursday: We had a nice driver waiting for us –the drive to our hotel was about 45 minutes. We stayed at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels; a luxury hotel that was once a Palace. The staff at the Metropole were very welcoming, the hotel is in a good location close to major shopping areas, the rooms are good size and very clean.

After lunch we took the hop on hop off bus to get acquainted with the city. Every two years the Grand Place comes alive in Brussels with a stunning flower carpet of begonias. They say there are over 100 volunteers and over a million begonias. This event brings out the locals and is a hot tourist spot.

For dinner we wandered around and checked out various menu’s and ended up at nice local restaurant, we took a table outside so we could

The Atomium, Brussels

do some people watching. I started out with a standard in Brussels, a bucket of mussels and Salmon. Our waitress spoke excellent English who lived in L.A. for a number of years. For dessert, of course, we shared a Belgium Waffle.

Friday: Our day started with breakfast which was included at the hotel. We started out getting back on the hop on trolley with our first destination being the Atomium, which was the main pavilion and icon of the 1958 World Fair.

Representing an iron crystal, magnified 165 billion times; The Atomium offers the only true 360° panoramic view of the 19 municipalities. The whole thing is made up of 9 spheres (one at each of the 8 points and one in the middle) connected by 20 tubes

(12 cube edges plus 2 tubes for the 4 diagonals): the structure rests on 3 pillars (or bipods).

After lunch we walked down to a park located at the foot of the Atomium called “Mini - Europe” Mini-Europe is the only park where you can have a whistle-stop tour around Europe in a few short hours.

A truly unique voyage! Stroll amid the typical ambiance of the most beautiful towns of the Old Continent. While there you can enjoy some great shopping to bring home.

For dinner we decided to check out the all new Hard Rock Café located in the Grand Place. The menu is complete with all your favorites like New York Steak, Twisted Mac, and Chicken & Anne Frank House Museum, Amsterdam Cheese to one of my stand by favorites, Grilled Salmon.

While there, you can enjoy an upscale Flea Market where everyone brought some great rock memorabilia with some pieces their treasures out to sell; it was interesting so from John Lennon, The Sex Pistols, Jimi Hendrix we spent a few hours browsing around. We also and Elvis Presley. bought a pass for the hop on hop off to get a feel of the area. We had a 5:30PM flight out to Saturday: Amsterdam with a brief layover in Munich. Our Our day started out with breakfast at the hotel travel agent suggested flying as opposed to the train before our train to Luxemburg. Our train arrived on to save time, however it would have been nice to time; our driver met us and drove us to the Le Royal see more of the country.

Resort Hotel. Our room was ready; the heat wave Our flight arrived on time around 10Pm we had we left in the U.S. has certainly followed us to Europe. a friendly driver pick us up; our drive was about Luxemburg was pretty warm, in the high 80’s.

30 minutes from the airport. Our driver gave us The hotel is ideally located, if you want to the low down on Amsterdam. We arrived at our walk around downtown to enjoy Plaza D’Armas, hotel around 11PM; fortunately, there were a few shopping on the upscale stores, sightseeing or for upgrades available so for our two nights we were eating at the numerous restaurants in the area. The able to get a nice room. breakfast buffet offers a great variety of choices of While in Amsterdam we stayed at the Convent fruits, cereals and breads etc.

Amsterdam Hotel in one of their suites which Le Royal Hotel comes with a five star Spa if provided ample space and comfort. The room was you’re looking for a great place to relax. There’s very quiet with a view of the street. The staff was also a pool and sauna along with a fitness room. very friendly and polite … nothing was too much Things to check out while in Luxembourg include: trouble. The hotel is centrally located with access to Cathedral Notre-Dame all the major sites and all forms of transport.

William Square Palace of the Grand Dukes Monday: St. Michaels Church Our day started out with breakfast at a nearby Starbucks, and a short walk where we stood in a Sunday: long line to get into the Anne Frank Museum. The We did a lot of walking today, they actually had museum opens at 9AM, if you get there around

8:30 the line goes pretty fast, again, even at 8:30 the line was quite long. If you remember the story of Anne Frank, you will enjoy the museum as there’s a large TV screen in most rooms that offers a narrative of the events.

On display at the museum is the Academy Award Shelley Winters won and later donated to the mueum for her character performance of Petronella van Daan in the Diary of Anne Frank. You can see the award as it’s displayed in a bullet-proof glass case in the museum.

After Anne Franks we found a quiet place for breakfast. After breakfast we – yes found the hop on hop off bus, bought a ticket and journeyed to the Van Gogh Museum.

This museum boasts the world’s largest collection of Vincent Van Gogh which features over 200 paintings and several hundred drawings. If you happen to be there on the weekends, it can get crowded.

Virtually across the street from the Hard Rock was the Heineken Museum. This was a cool attraction and a must see while in Amsterdam.

You get to know everything there is about the history of the Heineken family, how they brew and of course the best part, sampling. It’s about a 90 minute tour from start to end, lots of interactive activities. You also get a couple of drinks included with the price of your ticket.

During the evening after dinner we took in a guided tour of the Red Light District. We had a great time; all I will say is that the Red Light District of Amsterdam leaves nothing to the imagination.

and gives you a great feel of the city, you will stroll through some of the bombed out locations during the WW2. Steve was our tour guide, great personality and very informative. Here are a few places you may want to check out depending upon how much time you have in the area: Emigration Museum Warehouse District St. Michaelis Church Planten un Blomen (beautiful botanical garden) In case you got to Hamburg after Amsterdam and need another fix, there is a Red Light District in Hamburg.

While in Hamburg we stayed at the Marriott City Center. This is a great location as you’re only a few minutes’ walk to shops and some nice restaurants.

The rooms are above average on size, plenty of amenities.

For dinner we ate at the Restaurant Franziskaner. If you’re looking for delicious Bavarian Food, this is the place. The owner was real cool, spoke great English. The waitress thought there was a problem since we hardly touched our food, but it was just that the portions were too much for us. Maybe, we were also a little full from enjoying some shots of Schnapps?

Tuesday: Once again, our day started out at Starbucks, we had until around 2PM in Amsterdam before we took a flight to Hamburg Germany. We did some shopping and finished at one of the “coolest” attractions in Amsterdam.

For around 20 Euros you get to put on a large heavy coat and gloves to step into an ice freezing room with a bar and musical video. The price also includes a free shot of something that was pretty good. Did I mention your seat for the video is an ice block.

Our flight to Hamburg left on time; we had a brief layover in Copenhagen Denmark and enjoyed a nice dinner at the airport.

Thursday & Friday: Today we took the Ice Train which is the best way to travel; the trains are fast and comfortable.

Our trip to Berlin would be a pleasant two hours.

My only recommendation would be that they should have the stops also in English to alter tourists of their destination arrival.

Our driver was on time, met us at the deck and drove us to the Ritz Carlton where we will be spending the final nights of our trip. If you want to travel and really feel pampered trust me, the Ritz Carlton is the way to go.

While in Berlin, you will want to check out and get some pictures at Check Point Charlie. This was the famous crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. You will also want to check out the Berlin Wall Memorial. The memorial contains the last piece of Berlin Wall with the preserved grounds behind it and is thus able to convey an impression of how the border fortifications developed until the end of the 1980s.

Wednesday: Today, the heat wave finally left and it cooled down with a light rain as we did the “Great Walking Tour” in Hamburg. By the way this is a free offered

by Sandeman Tours. The tour is just over 2 hours

Saturday: Like all vacations, this one was coming to an end. We have a 7:45AM flight from Berlin to Frankfurt, with a short layover then non-stop to Denver and finally back in the Bay Area.

p i r T a s y a w l A the Ages 5 for

NO MATTER WHAT AGE YOU ARE!

Story by Rich Borell, CEO & Founder

R

ecently, my wife and I decided to take a trip to Orlando, Florida, over the summer. We planned to spend a few days at each attraction: The Walt Disney World, Epcot Center, Universal Studios, Animal Kingdom, Disney Studios and Downtown Disney. We also included a day tour to the Kennedy Space Center.

We planned our stay at the Waldorf Astoria for the week. Both the Waldorf and the Hilton Orlando are connected with a world-class convention center, creating a hip oasis in the middle of Orlando’s Theme Park magic. Truly convenient, the hotels are located inside the Disneyworld gates.

The name Waldorf Astoria is synonymous with luxury. If you have ever stayed at the Waldorf in New York, you will see that this Orlando property nicely brings together that New York style with the ever-delightful Floridian charm.

Whether you stay there, or not, I encourage you to dine at its legendary restaurant, Bull & Bear. This restaurant is definitely the area’s most popular go-to restaurant when it comes to fine dining. Along with this fabulous restaurant, be sure to also check out the spa, awardwinning designed golf course, state-of-the-art workout center … and our favorite: your own chic private cabana with a personal server.

Before I go any further, I want to wholeheartedly thank the management for their wonderful hospitality. Here’s the scoop on what I highly recommend: be sure to buy a planning app before you even arrive in Orlando to help you map out your day(s). Indeed, it’s well worthwhile.

Then, you can use the app on your phone, update wait times, re-optimize your schedule, etc. By having a plan, we were able to see every single attraction, including parades and fireworks. The longest we ever waited was 20 minutes. This was in the middle of the summer during peak days.

Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando.

The Magic Kingdom is a great place. This is a good combination of rides and, of course, you have to ride the coasters. The Castle draws everyone’s attention – this is where they play shows with all the characters. Space Mountain is where you must go first. Get yourself a fast pass early before the lines are long.

One of the four theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, offers a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood-style action with live shows, thrilling attractions, backstage tours and star-studded

special events. Feel like the star in your own movie as you romp through the streets and sections of the park that blend together like a large, bustling movie set.

Immerse yourself in the glitz and glamour of the Hollywood heydays from the 1930s and 1940s, captured by the neon, chrome, art deco and modern architecture. Step into the action with exhilarating attractions and experiences inspired by television and silver screen favorites. Go center stage and into the spotlight with the American Idol Experience, stunt shows and more. Collect autographs and pose for photos at special events.

Another cool ride is the Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow and, of course, the Rock n Roller Roller Coaster staring one of my favorites – Aerosmith. When it comes to rides, be sure to check out The Great Movie Ride, the 18-minute tour of some of Hollywood’s most famous films.

Then there’s the 50’s Prime Time Café, which is located at the Disney Hollywood Studios. Bring your appetite and your sense of humor. The theme is Mom’s kitchen circa 1955. There are TV’s throughout the restaurant showing black and white sitcoms, from “Father Knows Best” to the original “Mickey Mouse Club”. You can’t help but smile when you see these blasts from the past.

Everyone is “family”. Your server will introduce you to your “cousins” while giving you warnings to keep your elbows off the table and remind you to eat your vegetables. It’s all in good fun and adds to the unique experience.

There are a lot of 50’s knick-knacks and the dessert menu is on a View master!

For people who have never been here before and who love animals, this is an ultimate great place to visit. We loved the safari ride and the different animals from all around the world that they had. The only downside is that it’s so far away from all the other parks. However, this park is still worth checking out, if you are here.

Disney gives you a unique look at nature and animals through Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Enjoy yourself and take your time in the Animal Kingdom. If you have time to spend extra days at any of the parks, I would recommend doing

The Waldorf Astoria and Hilton Orlando are connected with a world-class convention center.

this park and the Magic Kingdom for more than one day. I would recommend going to the park early or late afternoon. If you are staying at a resort, take advantage of “Extra Magic Hours.”

When you enter the Animal Kingdom, you will walk through what is called “The Oasis”, with animal exhibits, exotic plants, jungle habitat etc.- all of which is really cool. This park is divided into five parts: Discovery Island, Camp Minnie, Camp Mickey, Africa and Rafiki’s Planet.

Outside of the Animal Kingdom, I can recommend the Rainforest Café. Dinner was great; so, too, was the service. It was impeccable and you can also get in some shopping.

This park is fun and there is a lot to do. You can visit the world in less than a day … and the fireworks at night are amazing. From the food to the gift shops, you will have a blast. We were on the go all day and crammed just about everything in! The Future World was great, a few nice little attractions there. I really enjoyed the greenhouse … which is about one living with the land. I had read about ‘Soarin’ and was eager to see what this was. It was excellent.

The more popular rides, such as Soarin and Test Track, have long waits. It would be a good idea to get a fast pass for these, unless you don’t mind waiting an hour or more.

Epcot Center, the world showcase, was

brilliant! It was much better than what I thought it would be. It’s very well done. We really enjoyed going from place to place, different attractions from around the world.

There are different shows going on during the day that are very interesting.

The fireworks/ lights illumination, which start around 9pm, were truly amazing! It’s very well done. We also had a wonderful time eating at Les Chefs de France. Of course, always remember to make a reservation here 2-3 months before you go. But, hey, it’s in Disney, what can you expect? This is one of Epcot’s overlooked gems. Many of the tables overlook the ‘streets’ of France and give you a bird’s eye view of the comings and goings while you enjoy your delicious meal. The tables are covered in crisp white linens, the interior is light and airy and the service is always top notch.

I’m going to first talk about the ambiance. It really does make you feel like you’re dining at some French bistro in Paris. The wait staff is from France, with the accent, and they would speak with you in fluent French if you were to ask them to. When we first arrived, our server brought us French baguettes, and it was really good. Indeed, it was warm, crisp, but soft and fluffy inside. Then I ordered the Salmon dish (with red pepper sauce and chive mashed potato) - it was delicious. The fish was cooked to perfection … I was a real big fan of sauce. It had this light, tangy and tomato-based taste to it and it complemented everything very well.

After being out in the heat and crowds for a few hours, this restaurant in the French section of Epcot was a welcome respite. We were seated promptly, and the service was spot on from the moment we arrived throughout. We could not have enjoyed this experience more.

Downtown Disney, originally the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village, is an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complex at the Walt Disney World Resort. This 120 acre shopping, dining, and entertainment complex is loaded with great things to do, and consume, if you’d like to spend a day away from the parks.

Parking is free here.

Downtown Disney is awesome. This place

is what I call a mall outside. It has shopping, dining, and attractions - and you can spend a day here by itself. You must stop here even if you are not going to Disney. There are shows and many places to eat. My favorite part besides the giant pin trader’s tent was the candy store. Who doesn’t love candy? You must stop by Downtown Disney.

There are three main areas here.

Marketplace (East Side), Pleasure Island and West Side. Market Place (or East Side), Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop, Planet Hollywood - Reservations are highly recommended.

Rides are totally awesome. Shopping and food and beverage are nice. Rides not to miss: Harry Potter’s Forbidden Journey, Spider-Man, Poseidon, Popeye (water ride), and Simpson’s.

I’m not into roller coaster rides, but they have several. Also most rides are 4D with special effects … and you also get sprayed with water.

What an amazing park; from the moment you drive up to the park, you tingle, Rip ride rock it (AMAZING), Shrek, Mummy Returns, Simpsons are all great, but TRANSFORMERS is awesome (as the Americans would say), great shows throughout the day, must stay for the show at night - my advice buy a unlimited fast pass for both parks. If you are disciplined, you will ride them all over and over.

The Kennedy Space Center is a must-see attraction if you are visiting the Orlando area.

It’s about a two hour drive. We were very fortune to attend a lecture by Astronaut Sam Durrance, who flew on many Space Shuttle missions.

There are two museums there - including one that houses the actual Atlantis that went to space - with lots of information to educate you on the space program. There are two IMAX movies that will take you back into history. Be sure to make the Atlantis exhibition part of your plans.

The gift shop will have a lot of cool stuff – plus, lots of good places to eat. I also want to extend my thanks to the management at the Kennedy Space Center for making our visit such an enjoyable and memorable one.

SPOTLIGHT ON TRAVEL

r o d n e l p S & y t u a e B The that is Old Europe Prague

WHERE SIGHTSEEING IS A MAJESTIC WALTZ

By Rich Borell Hello Everyone, I wanted to share some of our recent adventures as my wife and I enjoyed what was a wonderful visit to the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Austria.

If you are planning a visit to Prague, Bratislava or Budapest you can definitely cover a lot by walking. Vienna is a larger city, so you will need other forms of transportation to get around.

buildings. We continually caught ourselves saying to each other: “check out that building!”, because everywhere we looked, everything was so unique. The city was like an architectural museum, very much older Europe.

Here’s a brief list of some places you want to be sure to see while in Prague: • Charles Bridge • Prague Castle • Old Town Square • Church of St. Nicholas • Stalin Monument

Prague Let’s start with Prague. As we walked around (and I DO mean WALKED … yes, about 7miles per day) you will be mesmerized by historic

The heart of Prague, Old Town, is filled with many houses, churches and other structures dating back to the 13th century. When visiting, be sure to include the Old Town Hall

and Astronomical Clock, the Carolinum, the Municipal House and the Estates Theater.

Located in the center of Prague is a vibrant square surrounded by baroque buildings, lively cafes, street entertainers and craftspeople.

Situated at the Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral is the most important and largest church in Prague. The cathedral is the burial place of the former Czech kings and a home of the Czech Crown Jewels. You definitely want to include this stop when planning your itinerary.

Connecting the Old Town with Lesser Town, this popular pedestrian bridge is filled with musicians, painters, vendors and tourists during the summertime. Here you will be able to take some great pictures.

Once the initial charm of Prague has sunk in –I encourage you to take a trip to the Castle District and be even more amazed with some awesome sights.

This fairy tale castle on a hill overlooking the Vltava River is the most popular sight in the city, reflecting the city’s “Bohemian Baroque” architecture. The seat of Czech rulers for

Bratislava

1,000 years, today it houses the office of the President. Contained within the castle walls are three courtyards, beautiful gardens, shops, and restaurants. St. Vitus Cathedral, a Gothic landmark of the city since 926, that has always been the center of Prague’s religious and political life, is in this giant castle.

Bratislava Next we took the train to Bratislava, Slovakia.

I suggest purchasing a first-class ticket; it’s more comfortable and less crowded for your four hour journey. The first-class ticket will also get you access to the business lounge where you can relax and enjoy complimentary beverages and snacks before you depart. You will also be able to get assistance taking you to your train and loading your luggage up. Keep in mind … not a lot of English is spoken in these parts.

Here’s a brief list of some places you want to be sure to see while in Bratislava: • Bratislava Castle • Michael’s Gate • Primate’s Palace

Budapest

Old Town, Bratislava, was a delightful surprise to both of us … lots of shops, museums to see. One item I suggest seeing is the St. James Chapel. It’s the oldest sacral medieval structure in Bratislava. Be sure to take a walk downstairs.

A must-see on your trip is the Bratislava Castle. The castle was originally built as a frontier post for the Roman Empire; a later version was built by King Sigismund in the 15th century.

This castle burnt down in 1811, leaving only ruins … and it took until 1956-68 for the castle to be rebuilt to its current format. The castle is located on a hill overlooking the River Danube, the southern-most hill of the Small Carpathian Mountains. There are two ways to walk up to the castle - up Beblaveho Street from the Old Town or from Mudronova Street by the Slovak Parliament building up at the hill. You will find a museum along with a restaurant that has a full service bar. Weather permitting, I suggest eating outside and enjoying the beautiful views of the Danube.

Budapest Our next train ride was just a little over two

hours and took us to the brightest jewel on the Danube: Budapest, Hungary. Budapest was created in 1873 from the separate towns of Buda, Pest and Obuda. Its population of two million resides in 23 districts.

Here’s a brief list of some places you want to be sure to see while in Budapest: • Buda Castle • Chain Bridge • Hungarian Parliament Building • St. Stephen’s Basilica • House of Terror We both felt Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities we have ever seen. Since we have traveled through Europe extensively, that says a lot. Between the view from Fisherman’s Bastion, the Matthais Coronation Church and the nighttime view of the five lighted bridges and Parliament Building, it’s a must tour … and, if you have time in the evening, so, too, is a cruise along the Danube a must.

We were very impressed with Budapest being the largest city and capital of Hungary. It’s clean, feels safe and it’s also very easy to get around by foot … and, best of all, the people of Budapest

speak good English. The cost of eating out is look into when planning your trip to Eastern inexpensive, with lots of options. There are also Europe. many Hungarian wines and beers to choose from.

Mamaison Suite Palace Hotel Prague: Vienna The hotel is clean and the hotel staff Our final two hour train ride took us to extremely polite and helpful. They were able to Vienna, Austria. The historic center of Vienna is help us with all our queries concerning tours and rich in beautiful architecture, including Baroque restaurants … and recommendations made by castles and gardens, as well as the late-19ththem all turned out fantastic for us. century Ringstrasse, that is lined with grand You can book your tours through them; buildings, monuments and parks. however, keep in mind they will charge, I believe, Here’s a brief list of some places you want to a 10% add-on fee; however, well worth it. be sure to see while in Vienna: You are within three minutes of walking and • Schonbrunn Palace being at the Charles Bridge.

• Hofburg Palace Choose a large or junior suite on the upper • St. Stephen’s Cathedral floors so you can have a great view of the river.

• Millennium Tower • Historic Center of Vienna Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel, Bratislava: Nice hotel located in Old Town. Pleasant staff, The most important fine arts museum in very good breakfast. Good views, you can see Vienna is the Kunsthistorisches Museum. It is not only the Hviezdoslav Square, but also the one of the most impressive museum buildings of Castle. the 19th century. The architects were Gottfried The old city center is a one minute walk Semper and Carl von Hasenauer and it opened away. The River Danube is two minutes away. in 1891. The museum shows the art collection of Overall the hotel has a welcoming and warm the Habsburg Dynasty, collected over centuries. atmosphere. Staff is happy to help, and most On the stairway going to the second floor is the speak very good English. Rooms are spacious sculpted group of Canova, Theseus Slaying the and clean.

Minotaur.

The number one tourist attraction of Vienna Marriott Budapest: is St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom), This property is beautifully located on the located at Stephansplatz, and is the most Danube - has the best staff and just the best important Catholic Church in Vienna. It has attention to detail. We were very impressed. a multi-colored tile roof with a diamond Rooms are typical Marriott, perhaps slightly pattern and two tall towers which are the most more spacious than in the average property. If recognizable symbols of the city. you qualify for the executive lounge, this is an If visiting museums is at the top of your list, excellent amenity. Not only is the view great you won’t be disappointed in Vienna. but breakfast and evening hors d’oeuvres were I will briefly mention, if you do decide to visit ample and of a good variety. the Mauthausen-Gusen Concentration Camp, it’s about an hour train ride outside of Vienna … be Marriott Vienna: sure to schedule a private tour. Not much English The staff at the hotel was all very helpful and is spoken in this town. the rooms were comfortable and clean as you A word regarding currency: Austria and would expect.

Slovakia use Euro’s; however, the Czech Republic The hotel has a great location, within walking has their own called Czech Koruna, and Hungary distance to all of the major sites and near two uses the Hungarian Forint. Don’t worry, it’s metro stops. not that confusing, and if you have an iPhone, The breakfast was good, a big spread with there’s an app that does everything for you. fantastic quality.

Before I wrap this up, I wanted to suggest If it sounds like a delightful trip, it was. a few hotel accommodations you may want to Until next time … Bon Voyage!

Champion AMONG CHAMPIONS U.S. Congresswoman Jackie Speier

Congresswoman Speier poses for a photo with a young visitor on Earth Day in Pacifica in 2012. The theme of the event was “Be Turtley Cool, Take Action.”

I

walked into her office and could sense it: The heart of a champion with an invigorating pulse for her community ... these two thoughts so clearly evident … where I recently met with our US Congresswoman, Jackie Speier.

Who is Jackie Speier? As if you didn’t I was reading this cover when I heard: already know, she’s our representative in “Hello, Ken, I’m Jackie Speier.” I turned to Washington DC - Working extremely hard for face her, and, yes, it was definitely her ... with us, our community and our common good. that welcoming smile, the one you see in all Full of energy, extremely knowledgeable and the pictures. It’s very genuine, sincere and truly committed to public service. kind.

Having heard so much about her, I was From all that I had read and heard, and really looking from the time forward to meeting we had together her. However, to talk, it was you must realize easy to see why a very unusual everyone knows thing happened. and admires her so.

The many people No one knows her I told about my constituency like upcoming interview Jackie does. And all responded the no one could be same way: “Jackie more committed Speier? … I love to serving that her!” This is not constituency than the norm. Not in she is. this day and age of Back in 1979, Congresswoman Speier welcomes job seekpolitics. Indeed, far Jackie made a ers and employers at her 9th Job Hunter Boot commitment to from it.

So, then, what is Camp. Over 5,000 people have taken advanherself. If she tage of the resources offered at these free it? I would soon find survived that fateful workshops which Speier started in January out. I walked into day in Jonestown her office and there 2010. Several people have landed jobs as a - where she had direct result of JHBC. it was - the first clue. just witnessed her There on the wall in boss, Congressman her office was a framed Newsweek Magazine Leo Ryan, get shot and killed and where she cover. A list declaring “150 Most Fearless herself had been shot five times and left Women” ... and, yes, Jackie is on the list. That lying there for dead – she would devote her suggests the answer to the question - who is life to fighting for the common good. She Jackie Speier? committed herself to public service and also

Congresswoman Speier with Henry Diaz at her Day in the Life as a UPS helper.

to live life to the fullest. She has kept that promise and has remained 100% committed ever since.

The Jonestown experience has given her the ability to see things differently. She said everything since then has been “bonus time”, having left her with a verve, a passion, a gusto for life ... and a sense of urgency. Jackie said a number of times, “You have to do what you feel is the right thing to do.” She lives by that. She is also convinced that “If we don’t do it, it won’t get done.” She has on her desk in Washington DC a paper weight with a reminder, “What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?”

If we are looking for positive role models, we need not look any further. Indeed, she inspires others, no matter what the gender, no matter what the age. It is not if you fall, you will ... but that you get up, and never give up.

Jackie attributes what success she has had to that what she calls having been a three-time

loser. Each loss paved the way for a future success. She lost in her high school student body election for president. She lost in her first election for Congress back in 1979, which allowed her to become the youngest elected member of the Board of Supervisors at age 30.

She lost the primary election for Lt. Governor by just 3% points to go on and become elected to the US House of Representatives.

Jackie has enjoyed getting to know her constituency having served here locally on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, then in the State Assembly and State Senate in Sacramento, and now in Congress in Washington DC. Years ago, Jackie started “A Day In The Life Of”. Imagine, if you will, your doorbell rings.

Who is it, you wonder. You open the door and, oh my, it’s Jackie Speier - your UPS deliverer for the day ... or Safeway bagger ... or Home Depot paint mixer ... the list is a long one. Jackie is out there, working with us, for us, as us.

Jackie therefore truly comes from experience, son. Then, however, came not one but two with experience. She holds regular Town Hall miscarriages. The odds for another baby she Meetings. She talks with her constituents was told, natural or invitro, were indeed small. at events such as Job Hunters Boot Camp, This was in 1994. Against great odds, Jackie Seniors On The Move, Veterans Fix-It Meetings, became pregnant naturally. One day, she got Congress On Your Corner and When I Grow a call - a car had hit her husband. The hardest Up. Immediately upon the PG&E explosion in thing she ever had to do in her life, as she put it, San Bruno, Jackie was physically there with the was to pick up her 5 ½ year old son from school, people every day for weeks - and stayed by their rush to the hospital, have him say good bye to sides, serving them, helping them. She has his daddy and then having to pull the plug. an excellent understanding of the pulse of our Her husband had let his life insurance lapse. community and every day she works very hard Jackie all of a sudden was left near bankruptcy. to make our community stronger, our world a How did she rise above such hardship and better and safer one continue to be the for all to live and caring, determined and work and play in. upbeat representative Jackie, with she is? “It was always enthusiasm, has about putting one taken on difficult foot forward and then challenging tasks. the other,” she said.

She believes, “Make “There’s also nothing things happen like having children - it’s for all the right something that makes reasons.” She life bigger than you”. has battled with Eight years after banks, credit card the tragic loss of her companies, security husband, Jackie went Congresswoman Speier saw the crater the firms and the NRA. on a blind date with day after the San Bruno pipeline explosion Seeing the 26 Barry Dennis. Barry and fire on September 9, 2012 that killed caskets of innocent was a confirmed eight people. and beautiful bachelor and an avid children and their fly fisherman. Now courageous teachers, compelled her to do he’s just an avid fly fisherman. Jackie and Barry whatever necessary so that their deaths will got married and he adopted both of her children. not be in vain. Gun violence prevention is one I asked Jackie if she is optimistic about of her priorities. our future. She responded: “You have to be Other important issues include: military optimistic in this business, otherwise why would rape, human trafficking, health care reform, you do it?” And her heroes (or “sheroes”, as accountability in government, overspending in she said, smiling)? Indeed, she has been truly the Department of Defense and e-fairness in inspired by her grandmother who, if born later online sales tax. It’s about protecting lives and in time, could have been President, and Mother helping change them for the better. It’s also Teresa and her key of being “other-focused”. about investing in education and the future, The heart of a champion ... a living legend ... and about doing what’s right. championing great causes. Those are my words.

So much of Jackie’s life has been about That is who I feel Jackie Speier is and what she overcoming adversity. She met the man of her represents in our community and our world. dreams, Dr. Steve Sierra. They married and It is only fitting that she is in what we call the were extremely happy. They had a wonderful House of Representatives on our behalf.

The

Beautiful Wedding

By Julie Hart Conde

M

y passion is bringing peace, joy and beauty into people’s lives. I especially enjoy doing this for brides and grooms, who often find it overwhelming when planning their wedding.

If the multitude of details involved in planning your wedding is starting to get you stressed, below are 8 ways to keep you at peace as you plan one of the most important days in your life.

1. Breathe: When things start to get overwhelming, breathe deep, take a look at your options and focus on the most pressing one.

2. Focus: Keep a notebook near you or use your notebook app to jot down the myriad of thoughts that distract you from the task at hand. This will help you to focus and give you reassurance that you won’t be forgetting something important.

3. Hit List: While the long list of details can be overwhelming, the key is to break your list down into smaller bites.

Find a wedding timeline online and use that to break down your list into separate monthly plans. Then focus on just one month at a time.

4. Stress Reducer: If you find yourself getting stressed, talk with a friend or call your wedding planner. It’s great to get a different perspective and encouragement from those who love you and those who have the expertise.

Similar to the point above, keep focused on the positive and the possibilities. Look to your future and keep people around you who want your true happiness.

6. Vendors: When considering working with any vendor, read their contract thoroughly. Make note of the specifics and ask questions if anything isn’t clear. If something doesn’t fit in with what you originally had in mind, decide now if it is a deal breaker or if you are willing to compromise.

7. Possibilities: You don’t have to do a wedding a specific way, anything is possible. This day should be all about the two of you coming together and your guests should leave feeling like they saw who you are and what you like.

8. Wedding Style: Pinterest is a great tool that can help define your style. Once you have pinned a set of pictures that you love of the various elements of your wedding, look for common themes among your selections. Next, pick 3 to 5 words that describe your style. Moving forward, if you have a question about whether something is right for your wedding, you can go back to these words and decide if it fits in.

Remember, at the end of the day you will be married to the one that you love and the one who loves you: deeply, completely and unconditionally. No matter what elements you put into your day … take joy in this and savor the moments that bring you the most joy during the planning process.

Julie Hart Conde, Wedding and Event Planner, is the owner of Celebrations by Heart. www.celebrationsbyheart.com 5. Positivity: Surround yourself with positive people.

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BACK IN TIME

1996

• The U.S. stock markets, including the Dow Jones Industrial Average, gains at an incredibly fast pace and ends the year over the 6,000 mark

• In the United States Presidential Election Bill Clinton (Democratic) Defeats Bob Dole (Republican) and Ross Perot (Reform)

• The Summer Olympics are held in Atlanta United States

• Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula announces his retirement

• In 12 just months the number of Internet host computers goes from 1 million to 10 million

• Princess Diana and Prince Charles divorce

• Ebay debuts its online auction and shopping website • Most Popular Films include: Independence Day Twister Mission: Impossible Jerry Maguire 101 Dalmatians The Rock

• The first DVDs were made available in Japan • Federal debt: $5.2 trillion • Unemployment: 5.4% • Cost of a first-class stamp 32 cents • Super Bowl: Dallas beat Pittsburgh (27-17) • World Series:New York Yankees defeat Atlanta Braves 4-2

FEATU

S T N E V E • S E T A D P U • RES

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Open Wide & Save Your Dog With Good Oral Hygiene

By Sue Lee

I

t is very common at the start and end of each day for you to brush your teeth and maintain good oral care but do you realize how important it is for your pets? Your dog can’t walk into the bathroom alone, grab a brush and work on those pearly whites. As the responsible pet owner, you need to ensure you care for your pet’s teeth and gums in much the same respect as you do for yourself and your family does for themselves.

It would be ideal to brush a dog’s teeth daily as the family routine, but every day is not always feasible. Making a commitment at least a couple of days each week will help your dog maintain a healthy mouth. Oral hygiene can take just a few minutes at a time, but without it, your pet can pay a lifetime of discomfort and diseases.

Without proper oral hygiene, the plaque and tartar will build on your dog’s teeth and eventually seep into the gums, causing gingivitis, periodontitis and pyorrhea that can be serious to fatal.

• Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums. If the gums get infected with bacteria, it can get into your pet’s bloodstream and quickly became fatal.

• Periodontitis is a disease that attacks the dog’s gums, bones and the soft delicate tissues that surround the teeth.

• Pyorrhea affects not only the gums, but the tooth sockets, through infection and inflammation. Teeth in the area can loosen, fall out or need to be removed and the gums can result in pus.

This sounds like so much to put your dog through when you can save his or her discomfort with a small brush, flavored pet toothpaste and in-between dog treats. If you are new at entering that mouth full of teeth, your veterinarian or dog groomer can demonstrate the simple techniques in brushing your dog’s teeth. The sooner you start this process, the easier it is to get full cooperation from your dog.

The ideal time to introduce your dog to oral hygiene is in the early puppy years. This is the time that the little one is learning behavior, obedience and duties necessary for its growth, health and happiness. To begin the process, you need to get a soft bristle toothbrush, one that is size appropriate for your particular pet. Pet toothpaste is available in pet stores in various flavors such as chicken or beef. Aim to introduce your dog to your brushing its teeth at least once a week, and build up to twice a week, minimum.

For better maintenance and oral hygiene, choose some good healthy treats for pleasure and in-between oral care. Some options may be crunchy milk bones, dental chews and bones, and nearly any type of rawhide chew that works to scrape and keep the teeth clean. In fact, to avoid more plaque and tartar on a pet’s teeth, provide your dog with a nutritional dry dog food rather than canned, wet varieties. A little bit goes a long way in keeping your dog healthy, starting from the top, with good oral hygiene and care. There’s nothing better than good preventative care.

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Tim Draper & His Draper University of Heroes

Change Agents, Entrepreneurship & The Art of Making A BIG Difference

B

ased on Sand Hill Road in the Silicon Valley, Tim Draper is a real mover and shaker. His track record is extraordinary. His success comes from a lot of hard work, some good genetics, and some brilliant strategy. He has a great knack of surrounding himself with smart people, and building a great team.

Tim said that he had received more than his share of good luck, but I believe you make your own luck. Things seem to nicely fall into place when he initiates them, and it can’t be all luck.

Tim is a spry 55, has a real sparkle, and has made an amazing impact. He is the son of and the grandson of famous venture capitalists, his grandfather was the first VC in the Silicon Valley.

Tim is the third generation and his son, Adam, launched Boost.VC, which makes him the fourth.

Tim is enthusiastic about everything – always energetic and excited about what is yet to come.

I met with Tim in the large, beautiful offices of Draper Fisher Jurvetson in Menlo Park, where he is the Founding Partner. From the moment Tim walked in from his previous meeting, before going on to his immediately following next meeting, he could not have been any nicer, more attentive or more intriguing.

Tim was born in Illinois, but from the age of 1, was raised in the Silicon Valley near Stanford.

Tim has always been a big Stanford fan. He

went to Hillview Elementary School, K-8, then to Phillips Academy Andover in Massachusetts, where he boarded for his high school years. He returned to the Silicon Valley to attend Stanford and received his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering.

After Stanford, he worked for two years at Hewlett-Packard in Marketing / Sales Support, where he learned about the corporate world.

He then went to the Harvard Business School and received his MBA. Tim’s Dad, William Draper, was an investor in Apollo Computer, the leader in technical workstations, and Tim got a bird’s eye view as the Assistant to the President there for the summer between years at HBS. His job consisted of going out and talking with all the customers.

Tim came back with the message that Apollo should adopt the open UNIX operating system rather than (or in addition to) their proprietary Aegis operating system. Apollo was bigger than Sun Microsystems at the time,

but missing the UNIX wave hurt Apollo, and Sun won the market. Apollo was an enormous success however. They went public and ultimately became a very successful part of HP. After business school, Tim took a job at Alex. Brown & Sons. Tim worked for Don Dixon and Steve Brooks for a year before breaking out on his own. Tim reflects that Don and Steve were terrific mentors and became good friends. But it was his co-worker, John Fisher who Tim would make his partner and would help him build the dynasty that is Draper Fisher Jurvetson.

In 1985, Tim left Alex. Brown & Sons to form Draper Associates, a government SBIC that allowed him to invest borrowed capital in start ups. John Fisher joined five years later, and four years after that, together they recruited the brilliant Steve Jurvetson to finish out the triad. DFJ and its affiliates have funded over 1000 companies in over 30 countries, including Baidu and YeePay in China, Skype in Estonia and London, and Hotmail and Tesla in the U.S. It was as early as 1962, that the Draper’s became recognized as “the first Venture Capitalists of Silicon Valley”. As Tim was growing up, General William H. Draper Jr., Tim’s grandfather was the first VC in the Silicon Valley starting the first LP/GP arrangement with Draper Gaither and Anderson. He also led economic reconstruction of Germany and Japan after WW2 under the Marshall Plan, and did work with China on their one child policy. Bill Draper, Tim’s Dad, was also a pioneer in venture capital, starting Draper & Johnson Investment Company and later the successful Sutter Hill Ventures.

After leaving Sutter Hill, Bill was

Chairman of the Export Import Bank of the US, and later Administrator of UNDP, the highest ranking American in the United Nations. While Bill was at UNDP, Tim got to travel with his Dad – where he enjoyed and learned a lot from this experience, watching his Dad traverse the globe and doing international business.

This education would impact Tim as he grew DFJ. When Tim was looking at branching out on his own, his Dad was enmeshed in his UN duties. He suggested that Tim take over management of a small ($2 million in capital) SBIC that Bill had started and invested. Rather than just monitor his father’s investments, Tim was able to get started in the venture capital business and establish his first fund by borrowing six million dollars from the Small Business Administration, using the original two million dollars worth of investments as collateral.

It worked out … until the SBIC called.

They said that Tim had been moved to their work out program “the dirt list” and that they were going to have to call the loan. Tim flew out to Washington to plead his case and very fortunately, the SBIC agreed to give him a little more time.

Shortly thereafter, Tim’s record started to show. In 1991, Draper Associates had five investments go public, including Parametric Technology, and Tim was able to pay back the entire loan. Tim said that he had to kiss a lot of frogs before finding his princess. While some investments worked out, many did not. But since some of the ones that did work out were very successful, Tim became successful.

Most of his investments were in the Silicon Valley and in Boston’s Route 128, but he got a letter from the Alaskan

Bill, Tim and Andrea Draper at Draper University of Heroes.

government asking him to come to Alaska and tell them how venture capital worked. At that time oil had dropped to $6 per barrel, and the state was looking for new sources to grow their economy. So it was in Alaska that Tim, with the help of Jim Yarmon of Alaska and Jim Lynch, that Tim set up his first Network Affiliate Fund.

The Alaskan Government did well with this fund, but oil recovered and they were less and less interested in venture capital, but it set the tone for Tim to build out the Draper Affiliate Network, where Tim and his partners drove and set up funds in 30 cities in more than 10 countries around the globe, including its flagship international fund, DFJ ePlanet.

In 1999-2000, the bubble burst, and US venture capital was on its heels. Fortunately, DFJ’s international efforts paid off with great returns from Baidu and Skype. Domestic venture capital was slow to bounce back. It was hard and expensive to go public because

of new regulation requirements associated with Sarbanes Oxley and other overbearing regulations.

The corresponding expenses required forced companies to wait longer for liquidity.

The market had to change and venture capital needed to take on a new form. Angel investing and incubators came on along with new crowd funding platforms. With the JOBS Act and new complicated investment regulations, the field now was very different.

Tim then began exploring new ways for DFJ to operate. He decided to get out in front of the changes and act as a Research & Development arm for Draper Fisher Jurvetson, while continuing on as an angel investor himself. He said he was “leading the charge in a new direction”. Tim smiled with excitement. “We had been talking a lot about the past, and now we instead, were talking about the present and also the future.” So he started Draper University of Heroes.

“I always wanted to start a school”, Tim shared. “I was always told that Entrepreneurship is something that could not be taught and whenever I hear something cannot be done, I try to think about how to do it.”

“The world needs more heroes,” he said.

“That is how Draper University of Heroes came to be. It is this dream I have had. I figure that with 40 to 50 new heroes every quarter, heroes we will help lead in various ways from finding cures for cancer to getting to Mars. This is now happening at Draper University. People with great minds and great ideas from around the country and around the world are coming to our school and when they graduate they believe that anything is possible. The fact that you can’t teach Entrepreneurship is baloney. It’s happening here and I am very excited.”

At Draper University, they are mentoring, training, helping develop Business Plans … to where these students are prepared and able to present in a very professional multi-media way to a large panel of top venture capitalists of Silicon Valley. They will ask for tens or hundreds of thousands, even millions – what it is they will want and need to market and bloom.

Tim has a great relationship with the Stanford entrepreneurship community and seems to have every connection in the country and the world imaginable. Who would not want to come here for this opportunity and possibility?

Tim’s son, Adam has now also opened across the street, in another large building from Draper University, an incubator called Boost.VC where ideas flow and start-up companies will grow. “It’s all about transforming people. Here, at Draper University and across the street in our incubator, we test what you are made of and capable of. Everyone at Draper University will be a part of a team. Working as teams makes you work harder. You drive each other and you

don’t want to let the team down. What we see is: ‘People come here as ordinary people and leave as superheroes’ … It is very exciting.”

I

n schools everywhere, there has always been the emphasis on learning history.

Tim, however, believes that it is also imperative we learn about the future, preparation for what’s to come. Today, it’s the equivalent of being literate or not. Technology is continually changing and moving faster than what we are learning and grasping …

“A few years ago looks nothing like it does today. It’s not a matter of keeping up, it shouldn’t be about constant catch up; it should be more about being ahead, because change is happening that fast. I can’t remember what my life was like before the cell phone or how I got anything done before that.

The future? We don’t know yet what the future will look like. I do believe the next great ideas to come will come from left field, and within two to three years, they’ll become the next big thing.”

At Draper University they learn about the future. They also have what is called “Survival Training”, when it comes to Entrepreneurship and Business, and everything is also “Group Training”. They work in teams of five, rather than as individuals. What is important are things like: Vision, Advice, Ideas and Feedback that’s presented to you – “it pushes you, supports you, inspires you – all of these things bring more out of you, than when you are on your own”.

Tim’s role model? Mentor? Hero? “No question, it’s my Dad. A big part of who I am and my inspiration comes from him”. From the very beginning, going on these international trips and meeting the people they did, has had a tremendous impact on Tim, his career and his life. The person and character that is his Dad, means so much to Tim. “My wife and family

“A few years ago looks nothing like it does today. It’s not a matter of keeping up, it shouldn’t be about constant catch up; it should be more about being ahead.”

mean everything to me. This is what drives me. This all started and comes from him.”

He went on to say about his Dad: “He is a master of great judgment … He has done a lot of great things himself. He is still very active … he still works and plays tennis … and he is 85 years old. Yes, we are very close.

We get together and talk all the time.”

Tim has a slew of sayings, a few of which are: “Live your life to the fullest.

Get a full sense of everything around you. Travel. Explore. Our students say every day: ‘I will fail and fail again until I succeed’. There’s a big banner that greets you when you arrive at DFJ that says: ‘Think BIG’. “ “I look at what’s possible rather than what is. I look at what can be changed and improved … and how this could be made into a business.

I believe business is really good for society. People prosper with business. In business, if you have good competition, you push to delight the user more than the other guy did.”

“Start-ups and small businesses are so important for our society. They can compete and serve the people quicker and better. It’s a matter of finding problems and coming up with solutions. They can adapt and respond – improving things like technology and the environment.

Hotmail, for example, was one of the best things ever for our environment. Instant messaging to everyone globally – all without the use of trees, gas, jet fuel, paper or postage.

Big monopolies, like our government, often stagnate. Interesting, too, how

pollution is far better in free-enterprise countries than it is in communist or socialist countries.”

Entrepreneurs everywhere are willing and wanting to find the next hottest venture – and hoping it will be theirs. Overnight, Draper University has become a beacon nationally and internally for such aspirants. There is a great anticipation every few months, with every graduating class, from what they have learned.

It is nice knowing that you have the ear of tremendous expertise and also billions of potential dollars behind you listening. It’s the Business equivalent of Chorus Line.

When called, when it suddenly is your turn, it’s your time to show them what you’ve got. The hope and angst definitely apply. The work and preparation have been done.

The outcome is to be viewed, heard and judged. The stakes are high. The input is invaluable.

Tim knows all about this – nobody better to have in your corner. It would be the old equivalent of going to the mountain top and having your own guru – or winningest coach; however, everything now is high-tech multimedia and communication in nanoseconds. It doesn’t take long, or much, for the next great idea to become instant reality. And the rewards are well storied and well beyond comprehension.

Leadership. Entrepreneurship.

Making a BIG Difference – Tim believes the best is yet to come.

HOW TO PERFECT YOUR GOLF SWING

T

he search for the perfect swing is the Holy Grail for golfers all over the world as they strive to ďŹ nd an action that will permit them to play the game to a high standard. Grooving a golf swing that is repeatable and dependable can only be achieved through practice, and this will require time and patience.

Trying to perfect a swing while playing in competition is never advisable as you cannot possibly give your full concentration to the areas that need attention. Professional golfers will work tirelessly on their swings, some even hiring teachers who will give advice on elements of the swing. For recreational golfers, perhaps securing the services of a club professional will help, but for most golfers, it is a case of trial and error on the practice range. What can you do to improve

you swing?

The starting point for anyone who hopes to improve their game is to ensure that the fundamentals are in place. These include a good grip, proper stance, correct alignment and tempo of the swing. When the basics are in place, you will be in position to hit golf shots that are reasonably good. Your next step is to experiment with things that may improve your swing allowing you to hit the ball longer, straighter and with more spin. For example, ball position is something that can have a real impact on your swing as it often determines the angle at which you approach the ball and how this affects your arms and shoulders on the downswing. If you position the ball too far toward your front foot, this can encourage an over-the-top pass at the

ball, probably resulting in a pull or a slice. On the other hand, if you position the ball too far back in your stance, you may find you are blocking the ball to the right or hooking it wildly.

Experiment with ball position and you will most likely find that placing the ball in the middle of your stance or just fractionally toward your front foot will reap dividends. On longer clubs like the driver, the ball will be further toward your front foot.

A tip you will find helpful when working on grooving your golf swing, is to experiment on the practice range with different tempo swings.

Some recreational golfers swing very hard and fast in order to attempt to hit the ball further. You may be surprised to find that with a more leisurely, smooth swing, you will actually achieve greater distance. In reality, you want to hit the ball better, not harder. Fast swings tend to pull the arms into play too quickly and this often results in cutting across the ball, leading to a slice. The tempo of your swing is possibly the most crucial element you can work on as it will promote a repeatable swing you can rely on under pressure. In fact, you can groove such a swing in the garden at home without the need to hit golf balls. Find the tempo that works best for you, and make this part of your golf game.

Another element that impacts on your swing

is how you stand to address the ball. This can make a real difference to the quality of your shots and determine how high or low your ball trajectory will be. It can also influence how you bring the club head to the ball. Are you possibly stretching for the ball at address? Or is your stance too upright causing you to slice? Again, take time on the practice range to experiment by hitting shots while taking a variety of address positions. A tall person will naturally stand more upright to the ball while a shorter person will reach more for the ball and have a flatter swing. On that subject, if you are serious about grooving a solid, repeatable golf swing, you would do well to make sure you are using golf clubs suited to your height.

Badly fitted clubs will have you swinging on an arc that is unnatural and will inevitably result in hooking or slicing.

As is true for even the best of players, grooving a good golf swing is a matter of practice. You may find that there is a great deal of trial and error involved until you find a swing that suits you individually. Do not treat this as a chore, but enjoy those times you spend on the practice ground, realizing that it will result in a better golf swing that will in turn, allow you to derive greater enjoyment from the game and improve you score. stories@svlocalmag.com

As is true for even the best of players, grooving a good golf swing is a matter of practice.

TOP

10

Reasons to Shop at Local Stores

Y

ou may already shop locally because it is convenient, or perhaps you don’t shop locally at all. There are however, many excellent reasons why shopping at local stores is very beneďŹ cial to you and the community in which you live. Here are the top ten reasons why you should do more local shopping: Better Customer Experience

Are you tired of being served by a grumpy, miserable, or even downright rude checkout operator? If you shop locally you are more likely to be received with a smile and have a very pleasant customer experience. At your local shop you are not just a faceless money-carrier, you are a person. Building a friendly relationship with the local shop owner makes for a much more relaxed atmosphere and a nicer shopping experience allround. Rather than making your day worse, shopping at a local store might just brighten your day.

Helping to Local stores are owned and Maintain the operated by local people. The Community very same people as yourselves who care about the neighbourhood they live in.

Local businesses donate to local charities and causes and improve the surrounding area. Why? They care about the area in which they live, just like you. Support local stores and you are supporting your local community.

Local Economic Properity

Money you spend at local shops and businesses is money that is kept in your community, enriching it for all. When you spend at a superstore the profits are taken by the corporation, whereas when you spend locally your whole community indirectly benefits, since that money will be re-invested in your region.

Unique Nothing destroys a region’s Community character like the imposition of Charactor an all-purpose megastore store.

Local communities are unique places that have their very own culture, history and individual quality. Local stores are a part of this rich history and culture, having usually been around for several decades serving as pillars of the community. By supporting these local businesses you are ensuring the maintenance of the tradition and character of your area. A traditional diner or grocer is part of a town’s identity, and you would do well to support them with your custom.

Unique When you shop at a local store, Products and you get to buy unique, local prodQuality ucts of a diverse range that you Produce would not find at a superstore.

The stock has been carefully picked by the owner, rather than the dictates of market research and profitability. Especially when it comes to fruit and vegetables, shopping locally is superior to supermarket shopping in every way. The produce is fresher and tastier than supermarket goods, often picked only a day or two beforehand.

Fresh, organic, locallygrown food is also not only healthier for you, but it is also healthier for your community, as you are sustaining local agriculture.

Using local businesses encourLocal ages healthy competition. This Competition ultimately brings you, the consumer, and a cheaper, wider range of goods.

Multiple companies competing in individual markets is much better for everyone than one huge conglomerate selling a narrow range of every type of product.

More Local Jobs

Small local companies create a wide variety of local jobs which help sustain community economies. By shopping at local stores and using local businesses you are ultimately creating a supply of jobs in your local area, through increasing demand for goods and services.

Supporting Regional Agriculture

Through buying your fruit and vegetables from local outlets there are multiple positive effects. Aside from cheaper food bills and fresh produce, by supporting local farmers you are reinvesting money into your community and also helping the environment by reducing transport pollution.

Helping In the world today everyone wants the to do what they can to help conserve Environment the environment and the planet’s natural resources. Shopping locally serves this cause in several ways.

Major road congestion is reduced, as is general transport pollution. Buying goods from local stores also reduces fuel and energy consumption by bypassing the need to import from around the world. Local shops require little infrastructure, further decreasing our impact on the environment.

Local Decision Making

Important decisions made by local stores and businesses ought not be harmful to the community since the owners are part of the community too – they have a vested interest and are committed to the area’s future themselves. Decisions affecting the community are not made in corporate board rooms hundreds of miles away, they are made by fellow members of the community who appreciate their impact. Happy Shopping! stories@svlocalmag.com

The

San Francisco 49ers

Community Relations and

49ers Foundation

A PROUD TRADITION BOTH ON AND OFF THE FIELD

ncer sula with Breast Ca m To Jim h ac Co ad 49ers He r 2014 Warriors in Octobe

49ers Linebacke rs visit Good Samaritan Hos pital

H

ow do you define a Class Organization? From the very top on down. An organization that, internally, has everyone’s attention and 100% participation. Pride that’s felt everywhere and amongst everyone. Like one big family that cares. That’s the 49ers.

The Season is actually 12 months long for the 49ers – as they like to say, “There is no off-season” – both on and off the field. As the on-field football season ends, the Foundation gets to work, hosting charitable events that raise millions of dollars to benefit non-profit organizations in alignment with the 49ers Foundation’s mission to keep kids “Safe, On Track, and In School.” During the season,

ving dinner to Serving Thanksgi at Loaves & Fishes homeless families

each week on the players’ day off, the 49ers orchestrate community events that transform people’s lives.

The San Francisco 49ers Foundation is the non-profit community funding extension of the 49ers, now in its 23rd year.

TE Vernon Davis host ing kids a a Player t VISA Sho p With

49ers honor breast cancer survivors at an October home game

The Foundation supports programs for underserved youth that keep them “Safe, On Track and In School.” Over the past 23 years, the Foundation has donated nearly $30.6 million - $4.6 million in 2014, including a $1 million gift to launch the 49ers STEM Leadership Institute in collaboration with the Silicon Valley Education Foundation and the Santa Clara Unified School District with significant support from Chevron.

The philanthropic efforts of the 49ers Foundation are highly focused and strategic; remaining true to the well-developed mission statement and purpose and committed to creating measurable results through transformational grants and impact programs.

In 2014, 49ers players participated in more than 50 events, donating over 400 hours of volunteer time, impacting over Joanne Pasternack 80,000 people in Director of Community need annually.

Relations and the In 2014, 100% 49ers Foundation of the players participated in one-or-more community events.

Meet Joanne Pasternack, the Director of Community Relations and the 49ers Foundation for the San Francisco 49ers. Joanne attended high school in the Bay Area. Her father was a dedicated fan of the 49ers and Joanne grew up cheering for the 49ers as well. She went to college at the University of Pennsylvania, then to law school at Santa Clara University.

Following law school, she went to Washington, DC, where she worked with the Kennedy and Shriver families for the extraordinary non-profit, Special Olympics. At Special Olympics, she found a perfect marriage of her two passions – sports and philanthropy. It was the beginning of Joanne’s path towards a position that seems tailor-made for her interests and skills.

After working a World Winter Games for Special Olympics in Alaska, Joanne returned to the Bay Area where she secured a job with the City of Mountain View in the City Manager’s Office and the Police Department. While there, she co-founded the Mountain View Police Activities League (MVPAL), where she once again found a natural proclivity for event management, charitable outreach and using sports as a vehicle to transform perceptions and, in turn, a community. She was at the City of Mountain View in a variety of roles for over six years when, one day, she saw a job posting.

She remembers how her heart began beating with excitement as she read the position description. “Looking for the right person … The San Francisco 49ers … Community Relations.”

She couldn’t believe what she was reading. This would be her dream job and she wanted to go for it and boy, did she!

Joanne was interviewed extensively. It was a very thorough process - it was that important to them. They certainly knew that they found the right person and she certainly knew that she found the right organization! They complete each other, on and off the field. Her words: “I live this … I breathe this … and I love this job.”

Joanne told me about the 49ers and their overall commitment to charitable work. Their concept of Sports and Philanthropy was no afterthought. Leading by example, are John and Denise and Jed York and their entire family. John, Denise and Jed live and breathe philanthropy, vigorously engaging in activities and throwing considerable energy, effort and support towards the team’s charitable endeavors. John and Denise’s daughters, Jenna and Mara, are active participants in nearly every community event, sharing their zeal for transforming the lives of at-risk youth through hands on service. Their brother, Tony, is also involved and spent time with his father in New Orleans, visiting a school that had been ravaged by Hurricane Katrina and taking time to get to know the students, among other activities. Daughter-in-law, Danielle (Jed’s wife), is a former school teacher and worked for years in an underserved middle school deep in the heart of one of the most challenged parts of San Francisco. From the top down, it’s the

49ers honor troops aboard the USS America

culture, the fabric, the very spirit. Their desire has always been, and will always be, to see “Philanthropic change through sports.” Indeed, they want to be not just the best in the NFL, but in all sports. In 2013, they achieved this goal and were named the national recipients of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s prestigious Steve Patterson Award for excellence in sports philanthrophy. They were also one of four finalists for the Global Beyond Sport Award for outstanding sports team.

The San Francisco 49ers Foundation was honored by the San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal for being No. 13 in corporate philanthropic giving in 2014. Not bad for a company that has only 250 employees. The No. 2 Company, by comparison, was Cisco, with 72,000 employees.

There are many examples of their contributions. The San Francisco 49ers Academy – a school for low income middle school youth in East Palo Alto – not only bears the name of the 49ers football team, but it is also indelibly stamped with the spirit of their storied franchise. The school focuses on the underlying socioeconomic situations that were barriers to the students’ success by collaborating with teachers, police officers and strong mentors.

Recognizing the challenges faced by youth in the economically disadvantaged community of East Palo Alto and seeing an opportunity to make a measurable difference for these youth, the 49ers Foundation has been a part of the Academy since 1996, giving grants while also providing

Coach Tomsula Greeting Football Camp for the Stars Participants - a camp for athletes with Down syndrome

49ers STEM Leadership Institute

hands on support through collaboration, 1000s of game tickets, mentorship, facility enhancement, and donations.

With an increase in obesity rates among our nation’s youth, the 49ers have incorporated the PLAY 60 youth fitness program into the Academy to increase the students’ overall health, building a $75,000 outdoor fitness zone and bringing national visibility to the school and its commitment to fitness through a partnership with Matthew McConaughey. With the 49ers involvement, test scores have skyrocketed to the highest level in the school district – on par with far wealthier ZIP codes. In 2014, the 49ers Foundation facilitated $750K in contributions to the Academy, hosted eight events and dedicated countless volunteer hours to assist the youth.

And there is so much more! Breast Cancer Awareness, helping feed the homeless, where Jed has been the Food and Fund Drive CoChairman for Second Harvest Food Bank for

LB Patrick Willis with Make-A-Wish recipient

QB Colin Kaepernick with a Make-A-Wish guest

two years. The Bayview Hunters Point YMCA near Candlestick Park is another place they love supporting. They are also strong supporters of City Year San Jose/Silicon Valley, Hedge Funds Care (eradication of child abuse), the Center for Youth Wellness, Fresh Lifeline for Youth (FLY), and the Football Camp for the Stars (a camp for athletes with Down syndrome), and many others.

The 49ers Taube/Koret Touchdowns for Kids program is another wonderful example of the giving spirit of the 49ers. For every Touchdown, Field Goal, Interception and Sack, in partnership

with the Taube Family Foundation and the Koret Foundation, the 49ers, philanthropist Tad Taube and Koret have raised $1.25 million to help support Bay Area charitable organizations.

Again, here is a collaborative commitment that helps improve the life, safety and educational opportunities for the children of the communities they serve.

The 49ers host two very popular — and philanthropically productive — fundraising events. One is the Pasta Bowl. This has become their popular annual kick-off to the new season, the night before pre-season training begins. All the players come together and literally serve their designated table of admiring fans with food and pictures and fun. All proceeds go to benefit the community. There is also the 49ers Foundation Winter Fest, held in March in Lake Tahoe. This event always sells out. It’s a fun time for all and in 2014, the 49ers Foundation brought in $2 million during the weekend to support local Bay Area charities.

That primarily is the Foundation side. There is also the Community Relations side. Each week, the players have one day off. Typically it is on Monday. On their day off, the Community Relations team organizes community events where players have an opportunity to participate in hands-on service events where they can directly impact those in need in the Bay Area.

From hosting a board game tournament for youth with serious illness at the Ronald McDonald House to building a playground in East Palo Alto, inspiring incarcerated youth to choose a different and more productive path and so very much more, for the 49ers philanthropic outreach efforts, it is always about the people and for those in need in our community. There are a good number of players who can relate to coming from hard upbringings and they pour their hearts into the events. FLY is a perfect example, where the players and students talk about issues and goals. The players inspire and make a difference for the kids they personally reach through such community visits.

Even on the road, like when they have traveled to Youngstown to train in between East Coast games, they made a huge difference visiting a local hospital, school, and community center. In October 2010 and 2013, when

dedication and passion. they traveled to London to play in the NFL “The key here is that the members of the International Series game, they had one day off. Instead of site-seeing, they arranged special 49ers family recognize that they have been blessed with a special opportunity - one that days with a hugely popular Premier League is not to be taken for granted,” Joanne said. team – Tottenham Hotspur – and together, in “The 49ers take this responsibility seriously. one of the poorer districts of London, they held That is why we do what we do. Whether it a collaborative event for 100 low-income youth is a rookie or a seasoned veteran, ownership showcasing the PLAY 60 movement and the or a 49ers alumnus, we are so very proud of importance of getting out to play, 60 minutes a day, through both football and soccer.

It was an amazing day. The 49ers were the first to host such a large scale event while playing the International Series game. The following year, another team repeated this warm, monumental gesture.

The 49ers are also very active in spreading the messaging of the NFL “Play 60” Campaign to inspire children to be active and keep healthy. Vernon Davis has been a 49ers spokesperson.

2014 49ers Foundation Contribution Announcement at Levi’s® Stadium One year, inspired by the youth’s our 49ers and their authentic commitment to commitment to the campaign, he hosted a transforming the lives of those in need.” team of 15 students from the 49ers Academy Indeed, when I visited with Joanne, there who participated in a competition to write a was definitely an energy, a spirit that touched commercial for “Play 60.” Vernon arranged for a Limo ride to a special evening held at his home everything and everyone there. It was obvious – all about helping benefit community – and with an Academy Awards Red Carpet look, plus infectiously and fantastically impactful. The Paparazzi and Oscar-like statues for the kids. A fun, memorable event for everyone for a life time! 49ers feel that community has done so much to benefit them as an organization and, as Another example of the tremendous a result, the organization in turn is happy player participation is Joe Staley who, with and proud to be able to give back to the a librarian for a mother, loves reading to community - as it has and will continue to in elementary students and was honored with perpetuity. If there were a Super Bowl Trophy a national accolade for helping build literacy among youth. It does make a difference. And given to the organization based on what they do off the field, as well, no doubt the San the list of what all the 49ers do, individually, Francisco 49ers would be winners of that one as a Team and as an organization is a very each and every year. long one. All without fanfare, but with total

Monterey in Two Days: A Look at the Perfect Weekend Getaway C

ommonly referred to as “The City with Perfect Weather”, Monterey offers an ideal year-round weekend getaway for people who are looking to take in the sites of the beautiful Carmel Valley or just relax and kick their feet in the sand.

GETTING THERE Monterey is just an hour or two hours’ drive south of us coming from the Bay Area. You can get there directly by taking Highway 101, which leads you by miles of farms selling organic local produce (the fresh strawberries and artichokes are highly recommended). Alternately, you could take a leisurely drive along the picturesque Highway 1 from Half Moon Bay to Santa Cruz, with a stop in one of the numerous State parks or beaches along the way.

one of the local restaurants.

You may want to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium, it’s always fascinating. If you have a little more time in your schedule, consider making a short day trip south into the Los Padres National Forest. Here, there are many fun and easy nature walks, which take you through the rolling hills of the Santa Lucia Range. Afterward, you can relax and soak your feet in the natural hot springs at the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center.

WHERE TO STAY While there are plenty of franchise hotels available, perhaps a more pleasant and luxurious option is to stay at a Bed and Breakfast, such as the Old Monterey Inn, which is just a short walk from the coastline. Another popular choice is the award-winning Lodge at Pebble Beach, which is part of the 17 Mile Drive and features a wonderful THINGS TO SEE & DO When you arrive in Monterey, a great way to spa and great golf course. The staff there can also get a feel for the area is by taking the famous 17 arrange a kayaking expedition for guests.

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous or Mile Drive, which leads you on a circular route through the peninsula and the gated community just want to enjoy nature, consider staying at the Big Sur Campground, which lies roughly 25 miles of Pebble Beach. Along the way are spectacular to the south. The campground, located slightly views of the Pacific Ocean with both sandy inland along the banks of the Big Sur River, offers and rugged beaches. Golf enthusiasts are well catered for with three separate courses along the both cabin rentals and fully-equipped campsites. route. If you arrive a little later in the day, spend Sites book up quickly, especially during the summer, so be sure to reserve well in advance. the evening at Carmel River State Beach on the Beautiful Monterey … Enjoy! south end of the drive, where you can enjoy quiet sunset views of the Pacific, before trying

Nothing Else Matters When You’re Hungry.

Give What Matters Today!

When Bella’s parents lost their jobs and home, they turned to Second Harvest Food Bank to feed their family. Bella is not alone. Nearly 250,000 people in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties rely on Second Harvest each month to receive the healthy food they need to survive.

Every $1 you donate will provide 2 nutritious meals for a family like Bella’s.

Thank you to Silicon Valley Local Magazine for donating this advertising space.

SHFB.org

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Involving your toddler in recycling he routines you create for your child while he is young will grow into habits over the years. Although your toddler may be too young to understand the need to be eco-friendly, it is possible to get him into the routine of recycling by presenting it in an entertaining way. Here are some tips to get your toddler involved in recycling some common household items.

Sorting the Household Waste Sorting the household waste is a fun activity to carry out with toddlers as it appeals to their natural inclination to categorise and sort items. It also gives them a sense of achievement when they get it right.

Set up three plastic boxes and label each of them with pictures of what they should contain: one for paper, one for plastic and one for glass. Your toddler can help you search through old magazines or catalogues for suitable pictures for each box, which you can then cut out and stick on. This gives you an opportunity to talk through what types of waste should go in each box. The pictures will serve

as a useful reminder to your toddler when he is deciding what to place in each box.

When sorting the household waste, give your toddler the responsibility of spotting which items can be recycled and into which box they should be placed. He will need a lot of direction at first, so be sure to offer praise and encouragement when he gets it right.

Where items have a recycling symbol stamped on them, point it out to your toddler.

He will soon start to recognise it on a range of everyday items.

Composting If you have enough space in your garden, a compost heap can be used to recycle your biodegradable household waste. The setting up of the compost heap is a job for an adult, but your toddler will enjoy finding things to throw on to it.

Choose a suitable area of the garden and start the compost heap by placing green garden waste, brown garden waste, fruit and vegetable peelings and shredded newspaper in a pile. The pile should rest directly on the earth, not on concrete or plastic. You can enclose the compost heap with wood or wire to keep it neat, but this is not essential.

The compost will take a few months to rot down and will need to be dug over once a month. When the bottom of the heap starts to turn brown and crumbly, the compost is ready to be used.

Set your toddler the task of finding things to add to the pile. Along with garden waste and peelings from the kitchen, the compost heap will benefit from old teabags and eggshells. Avoid anything synthetic, oil and cooked food scraps which could attract vermin.

Again, it may be helpful to sit down with your toddler and go through some old magazines and catalogues to choose pictures of items which can be added to the compost heap.

These can be cut out and stuck on to a piece of card to be used as a reminder for your toddler when he is choosing what to throw on to the heap.

Clothing Toddlers can also get involved in recycling old clothing. Although you may be passing wearable items on to a younger sibling or another child, you may have clothing that is unfit to be worn again. There are recycling outlets for used clothing which pay an amount of cash per kilo. If your toddler attends a nursery or daycare facility, they can use such a scheme to raise cash and to teach the children about the benefits of recycling. Nursery managers are usually happy to receive fundraising suggestions.

Alternatively, you could

By involving your toddler in recycling and making it an entertaining activity, you are building a positive habit for the future.

use the money raised as an incentive for your child by saving it towards a treat, such as a day out or a coveted toy.

Old Toys Another key area for recycling is your toddler’s toys. You may face some resistance to passing on items he has enjoyed playing with. A long forgotten toy can suddenly become the current favourite if your toddler thinks he may have to part with it. One approach is to explain that these can be passed on to children who have fewer toys than he does, although he may be a little young to empathise with their situation. Another tactic is to schedule such a clear out shortly before Christmas or his birthday. They attraction of new toys arriving may persuade him to part with some of his existing collection.

By involving your toddler in recycling and making it an entertaining activity, you are building a positive habit for the future. Before you know it your child will be recycling items without prompting and may even be the one reminding you to be eco-friendly. stories@svlocalmag.com

Local San Mateo County rancher Erik Markegard with Supervisor Don Horsley at the Pescadero Farmers Market.

(Photo by Chris Hunter)

San Mateo County Farmers Markets are great promoters of locally grown goods

By Supervisor Don Horsley

A

s the Third District Supervisor for San Mateo County, I have the good fortune of representing a vast swath of land stretching along the coast from Pacifica to the Santa Cruz border and reaching inland to Redwood City. While Silicon Valley sometimes nabs all the public’s attention because of man-made products, there are plenty of reasons Horsley to cheer for local organic produce, too.

We have plenty of excellent small producers providing wonderfully delicious products ranging from exquisite goat cheese to tasty strawberries. Often, the only place you can easily find these local delicacies is at a local Farmers Market.

There are many of these community shopping festivals throughout the County, and

some of the most locally focused ones are along the San Mateo County coast. Half Moon Bay and Pacifica have been offering weekly Farmers Markets for several years. Recently, Pescadero began scheduling a Thursday event. A new year-round event has started on Sundays at the Harbor Village in Princetonby-the-Sea. Believe me, any market you can attend will offer you delicious local choices.

I encourage everyone to support our homegrown producers of agricultural products whenever possible. I also suggest you patronize the many fine restaurants that feature local products. Check out the As Fresh As It Gets website at (www.freshasitgets.com/) for details.

For a list of San Mateo County Farmers Markets, visit the Certified Farmers Market link on the county’s website (www.co.sanmateo. ca.us) or contact my office at (650) 363-4569 for more information.

Don Horsley was elected to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors in 2010. He is also a former San Mateo County Sheriff, serving from 1993 to 2007.

眀眀眀⸀ 琀 爀 愀瘀攀氀 琀 椀 瀀猀 洀愀最⸀ 挀 漀洀

Anna G. Eshoo,

U.S. House of Representatives DEVOTING ALL THE BEST, EAST TO WEST PLM: Where did you grow up and go to school?

Congresswoman Eshoo: I was born and raised in New Britain and Old Saybrook, Connecticut, and have lived in California most of my life.

I have an AA degree from Cañada College, and I am a graduate of the CORO Foundation. I also hold an Honorary Degree from Menlo College.

PLM: What prepared you, who inspired you to go into politics? What did you do before being elected to Congress?

Congresswoman Eshoo: I was elected to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors in 1982, and served for ten years before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992. Previous to my Board service, I was Chief of Staff to the late Leo T. McCarthy, Speaker of the California Assembly. He was a man of great integrity and a mentor to me. Previous to my work in the public sector, I worked in the private sector.

PLM: How long have you been in the House of Representatives? Is it what you thought it would be like? Has it changed over these years?

Congresswoman Eshoo: I have served as a Member of the House of Representatives for 22

t her sciences Rep. Eshoo speaks with @BioCentury TV abou e. mitte Com e merc Com agenda for the Energy and

years, and representing my constituents has been beyond rewarding. My Silicon Valley district has changed, as have politics in Washington, but my devotion to public service remains steadfast.

PLM: A day in the life, a week in the life of, it’s always full, it’s always busy, especially going back and forth, coast to coast, as often as you do … what might this look like?

Congresswoman Eshoo: Week days I am in Washington, D.C. for voting and my legislative work. As the top Democrat on the subcommittee overseeing communications and technology issues, I participate in congressional hearings to examine proposed policies or write bills. My days begin early and can end late, and they are always very full. I read all communications from my constituents every night and they are always instructive to me. I’ve commuted across

Rep. Eshoo established the 18th Congressional District Student Advisory Board in 1993 for San Mateo and Santa Counties to give young peo ple a voice in our government.

Rep. Eshoo announces a new law aimed at developing better treatments and potential cures for the deadliest of cancers. She was joined by Julie Fleshman, President and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Lisa Niemi Swayze, wife of the late Patrick Swayze and Chief Ambassador of Hope for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, in addition to leading cancer research advocates at Stanford University Hospital. Eshoo was recognized by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network for her leadership and presented with the Congressional Champion of Hope Award by Fleshman.

the country over all the years I have been in Congress because it’s important for me to be in the community with my constituents. I learn so much from them and they’re a constant source of inspiration to me.

PLM: What is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?

Congresswoman Eshoo: I am fond of a wise quote of Eleanor Roosevelt, who once said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” My family also instilled in me to be a ‘giver’…not a ‘taker’.

PLM: What are the questions people ask most of you?

Congresswoman Eshoo: Many constituents ask me about the dysfunction in Congress and when it will return to being a productive, bipartisan legislature for the good of the country.

They also express their concerns about our national economy, the cost of education and climate change.

PLM: Who are some of the people on both sides of the aisle (past and present) that you have worked with, respected, truly liked and appreciate?

Congresswoman Eshoo: I was honored to work with the late Senator Ted Kennedy to enact a law that for the first time established an approval process for biosimilars, in effect creating a biosimilars industry, just as Congress did with generic drugs in 1984. Biosimilars, or biologics, are drugs created using biological rather than chemical properties.

I am always proud to work across the aisle

with my Republican colleagues. A majority of the bills I introduce have a Republican co-sponsor, including legislation I have long spearheaded with Congressman Frank Wolf of Virginia to bring about greater protections for persecuted religious minorities in the Middle East. I have also worked with Representatives Joe Barton (R-Texas), Leonard Lance (R-New Jersey), Mike Rogers (R-Michigan) and Senator Richard Burr (R-North Carolina), and we have been successful in having our legislation signed into law.

PLM: Do you love history?

Congresswoman Eshoo: I respect history. Our past instructs our future.

PLM: What do you enjoy and love most about what you do?

Congresswoman Eshoo: Being a problem solver; getting complex issues resolved for my constituents; and shaping policies to improve the lives of people and strengthen our country.

PLM: What are some of your proudest moments and/or accomplishments?

Congresswoman Eshoo: My two children.

PLM: What’s an issue close to your heart that you are working on, striving for?

Congresswoman Eshoo: Biomedical research because it holds the promise to cure diseases and heal humankind. Investment in biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health is at unprecedented lows, jeopardizing our national health and preventing future breakthroughs. More than half of basic research funding in the U.S. comes from the federal government, yet we spend two-thirds less on research and development than

be afraid to fail. we did in 1965. I have spearheaded legislation in PLM: What advice do you have for aspiring this Congress—the America HEALS Act—to reverse women? this troubling trend by establishing a trust fund Congresswoman Eshoo: Follow your dreams. for our biomedical research agencies and ensure Think big. Keep going. Keep your friends, that the United States is the leader in scientific teammates and family close to help you reach discovery. your goal.

PLM: What would you still like to see PLM: What can people do to help make this accomplished? a better community, such as volunteerism and Congresswoman Eshoo: Comprehensive immigration reform, addressing climate change, a philanthropy?

Congresswoman Eshoo: The American stronger economy that benefits all Americans, and education reformist Horace Mann said, “Doing more advancement for women and girls. nothing for others is the undoing of ourselves.”

PLM: What do you feel is our biggest Our citizenship is a gift…it’s also a responsibility. challenge?

Every generation is called to build on the progress Congresswoman Eshoo: Climate change is of the past and move our communities and one of the most serious issues facing our nation our country forward. There and the world. are hundreds of non-profit PLM: You have gotten to organizations in our communities know a number of leading CEO’s and our churches that carry out and community leaders. Are noble efforts. Find one. Join one. there any that stand out that PLM: What in your spare time we should know about…and do you like to do? Do you like possibly watch and listen to? to read? Do you have favorite Congresswoman Eshoo: Jeff authors, favorite books? Movies?

Weiner, the CEO of LinkedIn, has Music? Sports? Do you have a ambitious ideas about how to hidden talent? employ Americans and people Congresswoman Eshoo: I am around the world. a voracious reader, a big fan of PLM: In 2011, you were public broadcasting, and I enjoy interviewed by Carl Guardino, walking. Our community theaters CEO of the Silicon Valley are terrific, and a healthy meal Leadership Group, at what with family and friends renews was called “an unprecedented me. gathering of leaders focused PLM: Do you have hobbies, on working together to get the Rep. Eshoo, along with four other interests? Do you enjoy travel? economy on a sustainable path female representatives, visited our What may be some of your for growth.” That was then and troops in Afghanistan and spoke favorite places you have visited we have come a long way since. with Regional Support Command or like to visit?

You and Carl both do so much (South) leadership about working Congresswoman Eshoo: I have for community and have a great to promote women’s rights under traveled many times to visit our working relationship. Please the Afghan constitution and the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, comment. positive role of women in the Afghan National Security Forces. attended foreign policy workshops Congresswoman Eshoo: in Africa, and I had the honor Carl Guardino and the Silicon to be a member of the official Valley Leadership Group are a congressional delegation for the force for good in our region and inauguration of Pope Francis. our country, advocating for issues ranging from PLM: Lastly, if you could host a dinner, and immigration reform to investment in STEM, job you could invite anyone (living or not), who creation, infrastructure and housing—investments would you like to have as your guests? that bolster our economy and improve people’s Congresswoman Eshoo: My entire family, lives. I am proud to have Carl and the SVLG as Katherine Hepburn, Mother Teresa, Pope John partners in my work.

XXII, Pope Francis, FDR and Eleanor, Albert PLM: What advice do you have for aspiring Einstein, Gloria Steinem, the Dalai Lama, JFK and young people?

Bono. Imagine the dinner conversation!

Congresswoman Eshoo: Learn. Lead. Don’t

Jean-Michel Cousteau

President, Ocean Futures Society www.oceanfutures.org

The Great Ocean Adventure S

ince first being thrown overboard by my father, Jacques Yves Cousteau at the age of seven in 1945, I have been compelled to explore, to discover, to understand the secrets of the sea. An oftquoted fact is that we know more about the surface of the moon than we do about our own ocean. How can we protect what

We protect over 14 percent of our land and less than one percent of the ocean. It is time to demonstrate the same stewardship for the ocean.

we don’t yet understand? This is what has made me want to continue to support the philosophy of my father through our efforts at the Ocean Futures Society, my non-profit marine conservation organization based in

Santa Barbara, CA. Today we have the knowledge and technology to admit that we, humans, are the biggest threat to our oceans; but we are also 100% responsible for its long-term preservation and protection. Overfishing, pollution, climate change, ocean acidification are all impacting the oceans because of the misuse and abuse caused by humans. The ocean is our life support system. We need to stop harming it because what we do to the ocean we ultimately do to ourselves.

It is ironic that the depletion of our ocean resources has accelerated at the same time we were personally donning dive masks and witnessing the richness of the ocean first hand over 50 years ago. Just as we started to dignify and appreciate the ecological role of individual marine species and how they contribute to the sustainability of the marine ecosystem they call home, we were improving our fishing technology to remove them faster than they were replenishing their populations. From an ecological standpoint, we now understand how everything is connected. We now appreciate the need to set aside protected areas in the ocean just as we have done on land. But we are over a hundred years behind terrestrial conservation measures when it comes to protecting our marine assets. We protect over 14% of our land and less than 1% of the ocean. It is time to demonstrate the same stewardship for the ocean and recognize the importance of marine protected areas as a way to increase

Photo: © Carrie Vonderhaar, Ocean Futures Society

abundance, improve biodiversity and provide a nursery for species that will spill over into areas open to fishing. It is a win-win situation for us all. Ninety percent of all large fish populations are at risk from overfishing and most commercial fisheries are in decline.

The problem is enormous but the solution is clear, quickly effective, and costs little.

But this is where the heart comes and where we must remain hopeful for the future; otherwise I would not keep traversing the planet, sharing the mission of Ocean Futures Society, empowering people to take personal responsibility for the long-term sustainability of our oceans. It starts with the individual; it starts with the heart and a desire to care.

The more I learn about the ocean, the more I realize how little I truly understand it. Even after all these years, a sense of exploration and wonder still fills me each time I dive into the ocean’s depths. We owe it to ourselves--we owe it to our water planet—to do all that we can to protect our life support system.

We must connect the ocean to the existence of every human being. This is the only way for people to understand that the quality of each and every one of our lives depends on water, depends on the ocean. My father said, “People protect what they love,” and so we want more people to fall in love with water. And I say, “Protect the ocean and you protect yourself.”

Photo by Nicolas Genin/Flickr

Investing With the Stars

By Scott Budman

I

’m hustled down a hallway, for a secretive, exclusive one-on-one. No one can see, and the crowds are kept away. The handler says “You’ll have three minutes.”

This, as you might imagine, rarely happens when we reporters talk to Venture Capitalists.

This is no ordinary VC, though. It’s Jared Leto, heartthrob thespian and winner of this year’s Oscar for Best Supporting Actor (“Dallas Budman Buyer’s Club”), certified rock star (“30 Seconds To Mars”), and tech investor.

Within seconds of talking to him, you can tell that Leto is the real deal. Yeah, sure he’s handsome, famous, etc, etc. He also knows his technology, having invested in rising startups like Zenefits, Surfair, and Wish, while starting his own companies that blend art and technology.

“Artists deserve a seat at the tech table,” Leto says, to explain why an already stratospherically famous person would seek out tech startups. “I’m looking for creative opportunities, and I see a lot of creativity in technology.”

Leto joins a growing list of well-known entertainers jumping into tech with their wallets.

Ashton Kutcher invested in AirBnB. Jada PinkettSmith invested in a safety app called bSafe. Andy Samberg, T.I., Jessica Alba, Justin Timberlake, the list goes on. Clearly, tech is the hot spot for famous people.

They tweet, they show up to board meetings.

They’re clearly serious about learning and making money. Kutcher recently spoke at TechCrunch “Disrupt,” telling the crowd that he looks for creative people and good ideas, not “people talking about market cap and social media platforms.”

At a recent Consumer Electronic Show (think: geek paradise) in Las Vegas, I saw no fewer than three rappers talking up headphones. 50 Cent, insisting that sound quality made his ‘phones the best; Ludacris, talking about why his brand is aimed exclusively at the high-end listener; and of course, Dr. Dre, who started Beats Electronics, brought celebrities like Lady Gaga into the fold, and just sold his company to Apple for a cool three billion dollars.

So, again, why take the time to invest? Well, according to Forbes, Dr. Dre is now worth $620 million. Who wouldn’t want to play that role?

Scott is the business & tech reporter for NBC Bay Area. He’s on Twitter: @scottbudman

Northern California Chapter 2015-2016

Gordy Soltau 1925-2014

NFL Alumni

Salvation Army

The Chapter teamed up with the Salvation Army’s Redwood City branch to distribute food for the holidays. Hundreds of local families were provided meals at the facility. Many local companies and stores contributed the groceries for these meals.. The Chapter collaborates annually with the Salvation Army to serve families and continue giving in the holiday spirit.

Henry “Model T” Ford, Allan Kennedy

NFL Alumni

George Mark Children’s House The NFL Alumni Northern California Chapter enjoys visiting local Children’s hospitals throughout the year. A long-standing tradition is bringing toys, games, and teddy bears to children and their families at Oakland’s Children’s Hospital. Additionally this year, the Chapter visited the George Mark Children’s House in San Leandro, where they were touched by the strength of the children.

Many thanks to Gary Weaver, Henry “Model T’ Ford, Michael Hooper, Larry Schreiber, Todd Lewis, Dave Casper, Chapter Secretary Pierre Spear, and NFL Alumni supporter John Valentine.

Charities NFL Alumni is proud to support these outstanding organizations that do so much to enrich the lives of youth in Northern California.

Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame

National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame

American Heart Association Mount Madonna School Athletic Program March of Dimes Peninsula Council of Lions Clubs Las Lomas Football Foundation Concord High School Band Boosters Joe DiMaggio League NAACP San Bruno Junior Giants San Mateo Junior Giants St. Pius School Peninsula Bay Chapter of the Links The Ted Hendricks Foundation Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Salvation Army San Mateo Police Athletic League Fatherhood Collaborative Soul Stroll Rotary Club of San Bruno Job Train Wender Weis Foundation For Children Afro - American Cultural And Historical Society, Inc. Oak Grove Youth Football Domini Hoskins Black History Museum George Mark Childrens House Silicon Valley Rugby Football Club Operation Dream (SFPD) Gold Star Parents Strides For Life Colon Cancer Prevention Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame

We are grateful to our wonderful sponsors for their support in our mission of Caring for Kids Jelly Belly Candy Company Peterbuilt Oakland Raiders Mark Davis Sanmina David Wright Rick Lozoya & Janice Claridge Children of Warriors YoDerm Jackson Rancheria Verifyle Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame Harry’s Hofbrau Keypoint Credit Union Duffy’s American Asphalt Maloney Security Straw Hat Pizza Whipple Auto Body Saags Sausage Shasta R.J. Dailey Construction Company Arthur & Carlyse Ciocca Foundation Wente Vinyards GLW Associates Len Rohde Hyundai Roto Rooter Manco, Inc. Sprig Electric St Francis Electric Magnum Drywall Saddle Rack Campanella Corporation Mark Jurich Gallina LLP Accuvant RDL Construction

WACA James V. Barnett Spicy Vines Ernie Co. Body Armor Pierre Buljan Group Rock the Casa Gordon Biersch Dennis Sanfilippo Autovino United States Marine Corp Color Guard United States Navy Color Guard Aryana Healthcare Physician Providers Tahoe Cottage Inn Carpaccio Sun Dance Eagle VInes Golf CLub Los Lagos Golf Course Las Positas Golf Course Half Moon Bay Golf Links Hidden Brooke PF Changs Kincaids Jack’s Car Wash The Office Go Kart Racer MoMo’s Dailey Construction Company Norcal Events Ted Stokes The City of Redwood City Oakland Flyers LLC Hengehuld Trucks Hooters The Cobblers Lake Chabot Golf Links The Golf Club at Roddy Ranch

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